Northern Frontier leaders meet Kindiki over fresh security plans

The government in fresh efforts to secure northern frontier counties from incidences of insecurity is now planning a major regional working forum involving security heads and elected leaders from the region.

The meeting that will be organised by the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination will be held after the end of the Ramadan season.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki while meeting elected leaders from the northern frontier in his office said the Thursday meeting was aimed at coming up with a comprehensive response to the security challenges facing the North Eastern Region of Kenya requires stakeholders' input and engagement.

"Ahead of a regional working forum involving security heads and elected leaders to be convened after the Ramadan Season, met with representatives of the political leadership of the Northern Eastern Region at Harambee House," read a statement from Kindiki's office.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan led northern frontier leaders who attended the meeting. The meeting comes in the wake of constant calls by the leaders to have the region secured from incidences of terror and bandit attacks.

Northern Frontier leaders at the security meeting on March 21, 2024. Photo: MINA

The closed-door meeting is expected to forge a working relationship between the government and the leaders in combating insecurity in the region.

The government recently announced that it has trained and equipped more than 200 National Police Reservists (NPRs) who will assist security personnel in beefing up security in the banditry-prone region.

President Ruto has previously said the government is in the process of developing and implementing a socioeconomic and political intervention strategy in the region.

He noted that this is to help find durable peace in the banditry-stricken areas as well as sustain enhanced security vigilance to forestall inter-communal conflicts.

Police have been heightening security in Mandera County near the Somali border to ward off possible attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.