The government has also given a three-day amnesty for the surrender of firearms in the banditry hit region.
“The president has directed the KDF to work jointly with the Kenya Police to weed out bandits in various places that have experienced cattle rustling and banditry in Baringo, Kerio Valley and other parts of the county,” a source told The Nation on Monday.
The meeting was attended by Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, MPs William Kamket (Tiaty), Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), Joshua Chepyegon Kandie (Baringo Central), Charles Kamuren (Baringo South), Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio) and Musa Sirma (Eldama Ravine).
North Rift leaders who attended an interdenominational prayer service in Nakuru on Sunday asked the government to facilitate police officers in bandit-prone areas with choppers.
According to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, police officers operating in the areas work in difficult conditions, hindering the operation.
“Police officers give out bullets to bandits in exchange for goats,” Natembeya said.
“In Kainuk Turkana we lost security officers and we want to request you as the Commander in Chief, that the officers be given a chopper to be able to handle the bandits,” said Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago.
He said the choppers would enable the officers on duty to respond rapidly to bandit attacks.
On Sunday, the President reiterated the government’s stance on fighting bandits in the country.
“We will use all means available to ensure we weed out bandits from the affected parts of the North Rift and other areas. My government will not entertain banditry,” said Dr Ruto.
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