Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome on Tuesday, February 14, traveled to Kainuk Turkana County where four police officers were killed by over three hundred bandits.
Koome sanctioned a carpet operation in Turkana East after a number of bandit attacks that claimed a number of civilians were registered.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, National Police Service Spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that the Inspector General will personally ensure that bandits are not allowed to terrorise innocent people.
"He is there to ensure that the ongoing operation is successful and the bandits are stopped from killing people," Resila noted.
In the operation, Koome ordered specialised police officers to go after the bandits and recover the stolen cattle.
Tight security and heightened patrols were witnessed in Turkana East after Koome visited the area to assess the situation amid banditry attacks.
Koome responded to the killing of four police officers and two civilians on February 11, 2023, by sending more specialised platoons to the area.
Bandits attacked the officers and civilians along the Kitale - Lodwar Highway in the Kaakong area of Turkana County where the cattle rustlers also stole a number of cattle.
The attack also left seven police, including a Sub-County Police Commander, with serious gunshot injuries.
It was reported that the fight between bandits and the police officers lasted several hours into the night before they escaped with a herd of cattle.
On Monday, February 13, 2023, hours after the attack occurred, President William Ruto ordered Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers to take over the fight against the bandits.
"CS Kindiki is not here today because he was in Baringo and in Turkana the day before. I told him to leave his Nairobi office and go live in the North Rift until the banditry stops," Ruto stated.
