By Wanja Waweru
The security agencies sent to disarm bandits in the North Rift region have been advised by Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya to carefully assess the situation before beginning the task.
Governor Natembeya emphasized that security agencies should also try to create alternate means of income for the people, in addition to their ambitious mission to disarm bandits.
“As we prepare for the disarmament exercise, I would like to urge the security organs to critically analyze the situation and, if necessary, ensure that individuals involved in banditry and cattle rustling have an alternative provision and source of livelihood,” he wrote on Twitter Sunday night.
He also condoled the families of the police officers who have lost their lives in the North Rift region, expressing optimism that the banditry menace shall soon be nipped in the bud.
“There comes a time in life when we must prioritize human life, and my hope is that peace will be restored as soon as possible,” he added.
Natembeya was referring to incidents in which police officers had recently been the targets of bandit attacks, which led President William Ruto to issue severe warnings to the offenders and ask Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki to relocate to the area until security is restored.
Six individuals, including four police officers, were killed in a bandit ambush on the Kitale-Lodwar route in Turkana County on Friday, February 10.
In addition, seven police officers who had been shot were taken to the hospital during the hours-long shootout.
A passenger in a car that was part of a convoy of cars being guarded by police captured the intense shootout, which showed roughly 300 robbers.
