Three days after Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot pressured Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to resign if he does not fly out to conflict zones, the IG has embarked on a tour of the North Rift and other banditry-prone areas.
On Wednesday, April 3, IG Koome visited Baringo where he assessed how officers were combating banditry.
On his tour, the Inspector General of Police further visited National Police Service Officers in the Training of Trainers (TOT) programme.
During his tour, IG Koome assessed Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a joint-military police operation against cattle rustling and banditry in the North Rift Region.
The tour of duty in Baringo County came a day after the IG held a high-profile security meeting with officers at Kabarnet County Police Headquarters and Chemolingot Joint Operation Centre.
During the security meeting, IG Koome reiterated the Ministry of Interior's position that banditry would be treated the same as terrorism and would be dealt with ruthlessly.
Despite accusations from a section of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) elected leaders, Koome noted that he was actively putting in place strategies to address the security situations in conflict-prone areas.
He highlighted that in his mission to eliminate banditry, he had recently made trips to Meru, Turkana and Baringo Counties.
“The IG lauded the Officers in TOT for their commitment to duty, patriotism to the Country and selfless service under some of the most challenging circumstances,” a statement from the National Police Service (NPS) quoted the top cop.
In March 2024, NPS dispatched new modern equipment including Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles for use by Formed Police Units in Operational areas.
Senator Cheruiyot had blamed IG Koome for being silent while locals continued to be terrorised by bandits in the North Rift.
“Tell IG Koome to get out of Jogoo House, and go to Kerio Valley where our brothers and sisters are being murdered every day. If he is overwhelmed by the job, let him resign we bring new people who can ensure our people are safe,” the Kericho Senator had stated.
