President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to heighten vigilance across the country following the rising cases of insecurity and volatility in various parts of the country.
In a statement by State House spokesperson, Kanze Dena, the President called on the Ministry - which is led by Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho - to ensure that security officers are more alert owing to the recent cases of attacks in the country and the volatility in the neighbouring countries.
The Head of State, who chaired the National Security Council meeting on Friday, November 12, noted that the security levels in the country were facing challenges that needed to be addressed with immediate effect.
“His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed internal security institutions to heighten vigilance and surveillance across the country following the unfolding security situation in the region,” read the statement signed by Kanze.
The President's directive comes at a time the country's Laikipia region has been experiencing heightened cases of banditry attacks that have left tens of people dead and thousands displaced.
The Head of State's order also come days after several attacks were recorded in the larger Northern Frontier District, and more specifically in areas of Marsabit.
On Wednesday, November 10, police reports indicated that 11 Kenya Defence Force (KDF) were injured after they were ambushed by armed bandits in the volatile region of Laikipia.
According to the police reports, the soldiers were part of the security officers sent in the area to pacify the situation and prevent the bandits from fleeing with stolen livestock.
The attack on soldiers occurred barely a day after a similar ambush on General Service Unit (GSU) officers that left two dead.
The two officers were shot dead at close range by suspected bandits in the crisis-stricken Laikipia County.
On Thursday last week, armed gunmen attacked a lorry on transit to Bardassa Manyatta in Marsabit County killing six people.
The President has also called for heightened vigilance following the raging conflict in the neighboring country of Ethiopia, where Tigray forces are engaging Ethiopian authorities in a violent confrontation.
The call for caution was made after reports indicated that there was a likely influx of refugees into the country who will be fleeing the instability.
