Kindiki to Expose Politicians and Spiritual Leaders Backing Bandits
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has announced that he will disclose the identities of those who profit from the persistent banditry in Northern Kenya.
According to Kindiki, the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Defense Forces (KDFthree-week )’s joint operation in the bandit-infested region yielded intelligence linking several leaders to the banditry.
Kindiki stated in a statement released on Sunday that intelligence has unmasked “senior commanders, spiritual leaders, political patrons, and commercial beneficiaries” working with the bandits.
Kithure added that he will soon reveal the identities of the aforementioned individuals and that a spiritual leader “providing prophetic support” to the bandits had been apprehended.
Kindiki stated, “Within a short time, we will distribute the names and photographs of these dark pillars of the evil network that is banditry.”
Kindiki stated that security agencies have assessed the terrain and identified “gaps to seal” without harming innocent locals as a result of the three-week crackdown.
“The government has conclusively identified the source of banditry’s sustenance, which must now be eradicated permanently. This vice has always been supported by a toxic combination of poor terrain, weapon supply, and bandit leadership “he said.
Kindiki stated that despite efforts to subdue the bandits, the gangs continue to murder civilians and security officers.
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Over 135 Kenyans, including 20 officers, have been killed in the past seven months.
This week, he added, approximately 12 Kenyans were murdered in Malaso, Pura, and Kur Kur, while six others were murdered in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“During the same period, dozens of schools have been shut down, thousands of families have been displaced, and public amenities and infrastructure have been destroyed,” he said.
Residents of Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot, and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties have been terrorized by the bandits.
He promised that the government will offer substantial monetary rewards to any member of the public who provides information on the gang’s whereabouts. He asserted that officers will not withdraw from the region until they silence and recover all firearms.
“We are bringing this war to their hideouts by land and air, with all our weight and might, and with all the strength God has given us, to effectively defeat this heinous list of crimes against humanity.”
