Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure on Wednesday, March 15, responded to concerns about possible human rights violations in the directive ordering residents in parts of North Rift to evacuate from areas labelled as disturbed areas.
In a statement on Wednesday, Kindiki assured that the operation was keen on protecting the rights of the natives and that his Ministry had established the area is only occupied by bandits.
He noted that no law-abiding citizens were living in the areas listed in his directive owing to the remoteness and the tough terrain and hence informing the conclusion that the aforementioned areas were used as hideouts.
"In spite of the security measures imposed, gangs of highly radicalized armed bandits continue to attack, kill and rob residents in the affected areas, thereafter retreating to remote and uninhabited forests, caves, hills, gorges and rugged terrain escarpments from where they monitor the public and security personnel and plan further attacks," the statement read in part.
The CS further dispelled fears that children in the affected would be deprived of their rights to education after complying with directives ordering them to move out.
The government, according to CS Kindiki, would ensure that all affected residents are compensated and supported to enable them to settle elsewhere.
"The government will also ensure that education programs in the areas that were Gazetted as ‘Disturbed’ and ‘Dangerous’ on 13th February 2023 are not disrupted whatsoever, and all children continue with their education," the statement added.
The directive ordering residents in the "dangerous" and "disturbed" regions to keep off gorges and caves sparked widespread condemnation as a section of Kenyans questioned the fate of the affected families.
CS Kinidiki made the announcement on Sunday, March 12, ahead of the anticipated second phase of the operations "Maliza Uhalifu" in the banditry-prone regions.
The CS had issued a timeline of 24 hours which required members of the public to vacate the affected areas by latest Monday, March 13 at 7 pm.
However, a section of leaders from the region opposed the move noting that it would affect the livelihood of their constituents.
"These Kenyans do not have immediate areas of refuge and their properties should be protected instead of ordering them to vacate," Turkana South Member of Parliament John Namoit stated in reaction to the orders.
