North Rift security operation should be carried out in a humane manner, experts warn

The Professional Criminologists Association of Kenya has welcomed the Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift while maintaining that a balance needs to be struck between protecting lives and mopping up illegal arms used to kill, maim and perpetuate banditry.

“Aware that more than 100 people and 16 police have been killed in the last six months in the region, PCAK does not hesitate to support the operation meant to restore order,” the PCAK Director of communications Rishi Arun Parikh said.

PCAK noted that the three-day amnesty for the surrender of firearms in illegal possession lapsed on Friday paving the way for a multiagency security operation to flush out bandits in North Rift, parts of Samburu and Laikipia counties.

“However, the fundamental rights of innocent people must be respected and protected all times. This is so because previous such operations have been marred by claims of gross violations of human rights with security agents being accused of abuse of power and use of unjustifiable force,” PCAK said.

The security agencies have also been urged to spare no effort in tracking down the benefactors of the perennial lawlessness in North Rift where communities have known no peace as viable economic activities aimed at uplifting lives are rendered into ruins.

According to PCAK, the multiagency teams should carry out the operation in a humanely manner while training their eyes on the real culprits fueling insecurity. This would ensure that they win the trust of the locals.

“Killing of civilians and officers by the bandits should no longer be treated as mere statistics. Time is nigh – those behind must be apprehended and punished for their acts of cowardice,” Parikh said.

PCA has also urged the locals in the affected and targeted areas to cooperate with police and military officers deployed on the ground to restore law and order.

“We appeal to communities to volunteer information, in doing so, the operation could take the shortest time possible so that normalcy returns and people go back to their routine businesses,” he added.

To ensure a lasting solution to the problem, PCAK has advised the national and county governments to focus on improving road networks, farming activities, education standards and health care.

“Equally, porous border points believed to smuggle into the country weapons and ammunition must be sealed once for all,” he said.