Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki on Sunday, March 12, announced the arrest of a spiritual leader believed to be providing prophetic support to the bandits during their operations.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, Kindiki affirmed that the clergyman was nabbed in a sting operation.
In addition, the Interior CS pointed out that he would be circulating the names and photographs of the perpetrators involved in the banditry activities.
He added that the government would offer rewards to members of the public who would provide significant information that led to the arrest of the culprits.
"In a short while, we shall be circulating the names and photographs of these dark pillars of the evil network that is banditry.
"The Government shall offer significant monetary rewards to any member(s) of the public who give us information that leads to the successful arrest of these dangerous elements.
"Already, one of them, a spiritual leader who has been providing prophetic support to the bandits has been apprehended," the statement read in part.
In a stern warning, Kindiki promised to take the war to the bandits by flushing them out of their hideouts.
The second tactic would be to seize the weapons and ammunition from the criminals, either by voluntary surrender or by force.
He noted that the government was well aware of a handful of senior commanders in charge of the bandit network as well as their spiritual leaders, and political patrons beneficiaries of bandit gangs.
"Intelligence has led us to identify a handful of senior commanders in charge of the bandit network as well as their spiritual leaders, political patrons and the commercial beneficiaries of bandit gangs. We know who they are, where they are and how they are operating," Kindiki stated.
He reiterated the government's efforts in neutralising the bandits and restoring peace in the North Rift regions.
"I assure the people of Kenya that we shall neutralize every bandit who defies the Government and engages in the atrocious killing, maiming and displacement of people from their homes," he noted.
The Interior CS added that over 135 Kenyans including 20 security had been killed by the bandits in the last seven months.
