New security operations base unveiled in Laikipia as state steps up fight against banditry
Murkomen said the additional command centre would also help combat the spill-over of criminal activities that have crossed into neighbouring counties, including parts of Meru, Isiolo and Marsabit.
To curb the rising insecurity in the North Rift region, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a new phase in the fight against banditry, unveiling a second command centre for Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) in Laikipia County.
The decision follows months of escalating banditry activities in regions like Samburu, Laikipia, and Isiolo, which have been at the forefront of the security challenges facing Kenya.
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The new command centre will be based in Kirimon, strategically positioned to address the emerging security concerns that have plagued the area.
Speaking in Thursday, the Interior CS noted that the establishment of the new base is not a separate operation but a continuation of the ongoing OMU under one central command.
“We are separating command centres. We are setting a new command centre at Kirimon which will complement Chemalingot base in Operation Maliza Uhalifu,” he explained during a security meeting held at the Kirimon National Youth Service training camp.
This move, he said, would enhance coordination and focus on the most problematic areas, such as Mukokodo Forest and parts of Samburu East.
Murkomen pointed out that the additional command centre would also help combat the spill-over of criminal activities that have crossed into neighbouring counties, including parts of Meru, Isiolo and Marsabit.
The operation, which involves a joint effort between the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), aims to flush out armed bandits terrorising the region.
Murkomen condemned politicians who, according to him, have been fuelling the insecurity. He warned that those involved would be held accountable.
“Politicians aiding banditry will face the full force of the law,” Murkomen stated.
Further enhancing the operation’s capabilities, Murkomen revealed that the government is investing in advanced technology.
This includes aerial surveillance, night vision equipment and more sophisticated offensive and protective gear.
“We are also acquiring more modern equipment with increased endurance and capabilities,” Murkomen said, insisting that technology will play a crucial role in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The CS also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that security personnel operate independently of political influence.
He directed that the National Police Reservists (NPRs) and rangers should not to be used as personal militias by politicians.
The Interior CS’s visit to Baringo County, a region that has witnessed numerous banditry attacks, was part of his ongoing efforts to restore normalcy through a multi-agency approach.
He acknowledged the positive role the public has played in supporting the operation, as well as the invaluable aerial surveillance contributions from Borana and Lewa Ranch.
The announcement of the new command centre and the enhanced security operation marks a renewed push by the government to tackle the banditry crisis that has long plagued parts of the North Rift, a region that has seen repeated cycles of violence.
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