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President Ruto chairs security meeting to address North Rift insecurity

President William Ruto chairs a high-level security meeting. (X/William Ruto)

By Amina Wako | 30 Mar 2024

During the meeting, President Ruto emphasised the government's commitment to tackling the persistent challenges facing the North Rift.

President William Ruto spearheaded a high-level security meeting on Saturday, March 30, in a bid to address the escalating insecurity plaguing the North Rift region.

The meeting, which took place amid rising concerns over cattle rustling and banditry, sought to devise new strategies to restore peace in the area.

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During the meeting, President Ruto emphasised the government's commitment to tackling the persistent challenges facing the North Rift.

"We are determined to restore peace in the North Rift and all other parts of the country that have witnessed a disturbance of peace," stated President Ruto, following the briefing on the ongoing security operations in the region.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo were among the key officials present, along with Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and his deputies. The discussions centred on bolstering security measures to effectively combat the entrenched banditry and cattle rustling activities that have plagued the region for years.

"The security operation in the North Rift has had a significant impact on restoring peace," President Ruto said.

The security operation in the North Rift has had significant impact in restoring peace. Recent incidents of cattle rustling and banditry are being handled with new additional measures.

We are determined to restore peace in the North Rift and all other parts of the country that… pic.twitter.com/HkinunzCQY
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) March 30, 2024

The North Rift, particularly the Kerio Valley, has been a hotspot for violent attacks and cattle raids, resulting in the loss of life and displacement of residents. Despite the presence of multi-agency security teams, the situation has continued to deteriorate, with over 70 reported fatalities in recent months.

To address the security challenges, the government launched Operation Maliza Uhalifu in February 2023, deploying a combination of police forces, military personnel, and National Police Reservists.

Additionally, modern security equipment, including armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and armoured unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has been commissioned to enhance the effectiveness of security operations.

Plans are also underway to establish training camps for various security agencies in the region as part of a comprehensive strategy to sustainably address insecurity in the North Rift.