The national government plans on training and arming chiefs and their assistants in volatile areas of the country to combat cattle rustlers and bandits.
Speaking at Ltungai rangers’ camp along the border of Samburu and Baringo counties on Friday, November 18, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki supported the directive stating that the local administrators are the first line of defence whenever bandits strike.
“From today all the chiefs and their assistants will be vetted, trained and armed and they will work together with the National Police Reservists and special forces to end banditry and cattle rustling,” he reinforced.
Kindiki fired a warning shot at bandits and cattle rustlers in Samburu, West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Isiolo and Turkana counties.
The CS assured that the government will deploy every tool in its arsenal to ensure cattle rustling and banditry ends. He equated the evil practice to an act of terrorism.
The move is subject to intense training alongside the deployment of heavy manpower authorized to use maximum fire against armed outlaws to protect the lives and property of the people they serve.
"As the interior CS, I understand what the law says in regard to the use of firearms by security officers, and I want to state that the weapons issued to police officers and the weapons we will issue to chiefs and their assistants are not for ornamental purposes," the CS proclaimed.
Kindiki toured Samburu County to commission a one-month training of 560 National Police Reservists (NPR) at the Ltungai conservancy.
He announced that the state was in the process of recovering over 900 cows stolen in Baragoi a few days ago.
Also present was Samburu County Governor Lati Lelelit, who suggested that a buffer zone be set between Samburu and Baringo counties to keep herders from colliding as they graze.
A similar approach was proposed in 2009 by former Internal Security Permanent Secretary (PS) Francis Kimemia.
Kimemia wanted chiefs in Nairobi to be armed after crime surged in the city. The chiefs were to undergo a two-week gun use training at the AP Training College before being issued the firearms.
"We will not issue you with guns to misuse and shoot innocent Kenyans, but have it as a weapon to deal with hardcore criminals in your areas," Kimemia stated.
