Ruto Orders Deployment of Military in West Pokot
On Monday, April 8th, President William Ruto took action to address the issue of banditry in West Pokot, emphasizing that it was unacceptable for certain schools in the area to remain shuttered due to heightened insecurity.
Therefore, he instructed the prompt mobilization of the military, with troops scheduled to commence an operation in the area within the week.
“You have said that there are five schools in the area that are closed, I want to direct today while in West Pokot, in the next two days, the military will be here,” he directed.
President Ruto announced that the armed forces would be mobilized to oversee the reconstruction and reopening of schools, alongside ensuring the security of students once the schools resume for the third term.
The President expressed regret over the fact that West Pokot was experiencing issues with banditry and cattle theft while the rest of the nation was progressing.
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“You have seen that our Nairobi Stock Exchange has moved from the worst stock exchange to the best in the world, but here you are engaged in stock theft,” he challenged West Pokot residents referencing the perennial cattle rustling in the region.
After the military had established control over the area, Ruto urged the residents of West Pokot to ensure that their children attended school.
This marked the second occasion during his presidency when Ruto had ordered the military to be deployed to the unrest-ridden North Rift region.
In February 2023, Ruto initiated a combined security operation involving both the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the police to target regions susceptible to banditry.
The joint effort led by the Ministries of Defence and Interior has resulted in a notable decrease in instances of banditry, although West Pokot and Baringo Counties remain areas of concern due to ongoing raids by bandits on villages.
When President William Ruto initiated the second military deployment, he didn’t clarify whether it would involve another collaboration with the Kenyan police force.
Bandits have reportedly forced more than 2,000 individuals to flee their homes in West Pokot and Baringo Counties.
Ruto Orders Deployment of Military in West Pokot
