President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Friday, March 5, issued an order to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) directing them to relocate from Muramur, Samburu West to the bandit-ridden Baragoi town in Samburu County.
The head of state said that the changes were made due to accommodate the growing needs of Maralal town where the military men are currently situated.
The elders at Baragoi were requested to provide a parcel of land that the government will use to construct a new KDF camp.
"We are going to build tarmac roads in Maralal and we have to expand the town. There is no land for further development save for the one hosting our army.
"That is why we have agreed with your leaders that soldiers will relocate to Baragoi to deal with criminals," Kenyatta said while addressing residents at Kisima town in Samburu West.
Baragoi is well known for bandit attacks and ethnic clashes between several communities. In November 2012, at least 46 people including police officers sent to contain the bandits were killed.
In November 2020, local leaders called on the Interior Ministry under CS Fred Matiang'i to conduct a security operation in the area and weed out criminals. This was after a 35-year-old widow and three other residents were shot dead at night.
"One week ago, we held a peace meeting with Samburu and Turkana communities attended by the National Cohesion and Integration Commissioner Dorcas Dogo to urge members of the two communities to live together peacefully and then deaths occur.
"The government should investigate and either recommend the communities to live separately or remove and prosecute the criminals. Residents are tired of living in fear and want a lasting solution,” Samburu Woman Representative Maison Leshom urged.
Kenyatta also directed the Kenya Prisons Service to relocate seven prisons sitting on prime land in the middle of towns and cities. CS Matiang'i said that the lands will instead be used for the development and construction of social amenities.
He added that the President directed Kwale, Bomet and Shimo la Tewa Prisons to be among the first to be moved to alternative areas in Kilifi County.
