Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki's security assessment mission was on Tuesday, November 22, disrupted at the volatile Ngomeni area in Kitui County.
Kindiki's speech was momentarily interrupted by gunshots that were fired by armed bandits who attempted to take over a village.
Barely minutes after Kindiki took to the podium to address the resident, the crowd became restless as four gunshots rented the air.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua was forced to interject and asked Prof Kindiki to vacate since the gunfire was getting closer.
"The people in this area are living in constant fear of being killed by gunmen. It's important for the government to offer them adequate security," Wambua lamented.
The bandits who have for years been terrorising residents made a daring move when the Cabinet Secretary was visiting the area.
It's reported that the bandits came as close as two kilometres from Mandongoi Primary School in Mwingi north where the event was taking place.
Kindiki, who was accompanied by the county security team, warned the bandits even as he left the battleground.
"We will adequately and effectively deal with these bandits. They will have no place to hide," CS Kindiki assured.
He also acknowledged that the gunfire from the bandits amounted to daring him as a person and the government security machinery.
Kindiki affirmed that the bandits will soon hear from the government that they have despised and disregarded.
“The truth is that criminals are just criminals. They have not tribe or political affiliation. As a government, we are prepared to lose votes if that will be the cost of securing the lives and properties of Kenyans from unwarranted aggression,” he assured.
Kitui security team assured the local community of their safety despite wanton killings that have been going on in the area.
Professor Kindiki also took time to condole with families that lost two members to the bandits bullets.
While visiting Mwingi North, Kindiki domanted Ksh1 million to Kitui residents as a contribution towards the completion of a stalled police station project.
He was visiting the area in response to escalated tension between locals and herders.
“I want to challenge the criminals who think they have better weapons, tactics or instruments of violence than the government to dare face us. We will follow them anywhere they are. We won’t leave this area until we end this menace.”
