Natembeya on Encounter With Laikipia Gunmen: They've Better Weapons Than Police

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya speaks to boda boda riders in Isiolo in 2019
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya speaks to boda boda riders in Isiolo in 2019
File

Rift Valley Regional Commander George Natembeya has raised concerns regarding heavy machinery that Laikipia bandits use to carry out attacks.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, September 7, Natembeya admitted that the bandits own sophisticated weapons, which are often used by international armies in war.

The police boss explained that the weapons were way powerful and capable of deadly mass destruction.

"While our officers are using AK47 and G3 rifles, the bandits (in Laikipia) are using M16s and other heavy machinery, which are usually used by foreign armies who come for training in Kenya. We don't know how they get these heavy weapons," stated Natembeya while speaking to press.

Police battling protestors in Kisumu
Police battling protestors in Kisumu
Citizen Digital

The regional commander comments came after it emerged that seven people, among them 3 police officers, lost their lives to bandit attacks in just weeks.

He further explained that the police would use force in trying to fish out the thugs to help secure Laikipia and its neighbouring counties.

Natembeya also noted that most of the thugs had moved to Laikipia from Baringo County, where the National Police Service (NPS) had waged war on them.

In the first assignment since Interior CS Fred Matiang'i instituted a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) disclosed that a multi-agency team thwarted an attempt to set a school on fire.

"Following a security operation in Laikipia to flush out armed bandits, who have invaded Laikipia Nature Conservancy leading to insecurity within the area, a multiagency security team today thwarted a suspected attempt to burn Merigwiti Primary School.

"An assessment of the school established that only a store containing building materials (wood) caught fire, which was promptly put out with no damage to the school," read the statement in part.

Other counties that had been overwhelmed by cattle rustling and banditry attacks include Baringo, Isiolo and parts of Elgeyo Marakwet.

Kapedo was the worst hit but was rehabilitated after months of security operations.

Police conduct an operation in Kapedo in 2019
Police conduct an operation in Kapedo in 2019
Photo
NPS
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