NCIC urges swift action as bandit killings rock Baringo, Samburu

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has urged politicians to quickly tame the ongoing merciless killings of innocent Kenyans following alleged banditry attacks in Baringo and Samburu Counties.

The attacks have caused unnecessary destruction, tension and closure of schools forcing security agencies into a series of strategy meetings both in Nairobi and in the North Rift.

The region had experienced a lull in the number of attacks last year but since the year started, NCIC notes that 12 individuals have been killed following a fresh wave of attacks in Baringo North and South.

NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia termed the killing of the 12 people including a minor, the Principal of Kagir Primary School Thomas Kibet and a Nanyiekie ward Member of County Assembly Leshimpiro Angata as an unacceptable trajectory.

Five schools have also been closed and residents have fled with their ongoing school children due to the constant attacks in addition to the alleged kidnapping of young girls and women.

So daring are the attackers that they have also aimed at security agencies deployed in the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu, North Rift by spraying live ammunition towards them.

"Indeed, humanity is slowly but surely losing its meaning in a country whose Constitution guarantees the right to life among other rights. This is unacceptable and therefore, we call upon the political leadership in the affected regions to take charge of their counties and convene as soon as possible to stop these criminal attacks. Indeed, no amount of sorry can console the bereaved families," said Prof Kobia.

The commission is actively monitoring and assessing the prevailing situation in the region in addition to other parts of the country including; Narok- Transmara West, Kisumu-Kericho border, Lamu, Mandera and Kwale counties where conflict has escalated despite the heavy deployment of security officers.

Kobia further called on the bandits to abandon this retrogressive way of handling conflicts and stop abusing the rights of other human beings.

"Gone are the days of regressive cultural practices. Banditry is a criminal act and the perpetrators should face the full wrath of the law," added Prof Kobia.

At the same time, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with leaders from Baringo County to identify the gaps and generate consensus on strategies that will help win the war against banditry and livestock rustling.

The details of the meeting held in Nairobi remain scanty even as the ministry prepares to gazette more areas as disturbed zones and announce new measures to tame the vice in the coming week.

"A year after the Government deployed a permanent operation to defeat the decades-old organised crime against the people of Kenya, the time has come to change the operational interventions to seal the remaining gaps and secure the Kenya of the North," Prof Kindiki said on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Senator William Cheptumo, Woman Representative Florence Jematiah, MPs Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), William Kamket (Tiaty), Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Charles Kamuren (Baringo South), Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio) and Bishop Jackson Kosgey (Nominated) at Harambee House, Nairobi.

Also present were the Principal Administrative Secretary for Internal Security Njenga Miiri and Principal Administrative Secretary in charge of National Administration Anne Ng'etich.