Schools set to be reopened in Laikipia as state sets up 2 police stations in bandit prone area

LAIKIPIA,Kenya, Sep 10 – The country’s top security brass toured a section of the volatile Laikipia region Friday in a display of might that the country will remain firm in the wake of the recent bandit attacks that has so far left at least 10 people including security personnel dead.

Chief of The Defence forces (CDF) General Robert Kibochi, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i and Inspector General of police Hillary Mutyambai supervised air and ground operations by a multi-agency security team as well as visiting local residents displaced as a result of the raging violence.

While at Ol Moran trading center, which is suspected to be the origin of the recent flare-up of violence, the security bosses resolutely affirmed government’s commitment to end what has been termed by some as a cyclical occurrence whenever the country is approaching an electioneering period.

“It is our cardinal responsibility to take care of you and your property. This is not a short- term exercise, but a sustained operation. We will triple the number of officers and stay here until we conclusively sort out this issue,” said Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i.

Matiang’i also announced that the government has created a new sub county in the volatile area in a bid to enhance security among other vital operations.

An entire police division will be stationed at the newly-gazetted Kirima division and two additional police stations established in the area while a training base for elite police officers will be established in the area and more police reservists hired and armed.

“More National Police Reservists (NPRs) and Kenya Police Reservists (KPRs) will be incorporated into subsequent security operations,” he said.

Critically however the new security formations will allow for the smooth re-opening of schools in the coming week with Matiang’i guaranteeing learners safety. Several institution of learning were closed after residents fled their homes, seeking refuge in churches, police stations and other places.

Schools that were closed included: Survey Primary and Secondary school, Mirango, Ndunyu Loi, Magadi and Mirigwite primary school.

“You have a right to live and own property anywhere in the Republic of Kenya. This is our country. Whoever thinks they can drive you out has simply underestimated the power of the government. No Kenyan will be displaced due to the balkanization we witness when approaching the elections. We are not short of means. We are resolute as government, and among the strategies we are deploying is issuance of title deeds.” he said.

Several political leaders have since been arrested and accused of fueling the violence in the area at the same time allegedly supplying guns and ammunitions as well food to the bandits.

“I want to be honest with our political leaders. You are not going to use the lives of our people as collateral. We understand the kind of balkanization towards elections. We know what you plan and the people you fraternize with. We are coming for you,” said Matiang’i.

In the coming days, Ministry of Land officials are expected to set camp in the area, top of their agenda,expediting land adjudication and issuance of title deeds to residents.

A multi-agency government team will also be tasked to review the future of the management of the Laikipia Nature Conservancy that has been a source of conflict in recent years. The conservancy was Monday declared a disturbed area and a security operation zone.

A dusk to dawn curfew was also declared in the area.

Close to 150 families affected by the violence Friday received assorted foodstuffs, bedding and iron sheets as government encourages residents to return home with a pledge to assist them in rebuilding their homes.