Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to remove police reservists was to responsible for the current uptick in banditry attacks, according to information provided by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday, January 3.
The CS asserted that the reservists were evacuated in order to settle political scores with President William Ruto during his tour of Kerio Valley.
Kindiki asserted that the 2021 decision fostered a rise of criminal activity in North Rift that was on the verge of becoming out of hand.
"The hasty and unreasonable decision to withdraw approximately 10,000 reserve members has caused a huge loss of innocent life and deprivation of property," he claimed.
"We regret the decision taken a year ago to remove National Police Reservists from all counties where there has been bloodshed due to cattle rustler deaths," the statement reads.
The tough-talking CS also vowed to take government action against individuals responsible for the banditry attacks.
"I want to assure them that I am prepared to confront them with the full Ministry's budget if they (criminals) believe they have enough weaponry." He Warned.
He also gave the National Police Service's senior brass instructions to react as soon as possible to security-related incidents.
He also urged officers to only use guns to defend their own lives and the lives of other people.
In response to recent attacks that resulted in the deaths of two juveniles, Kindiki ordered the immediate reactivation of police reservists in Kerio Valley and other areas targeted by banditry activities.
In order to counter the threats posed by organized criminal elements, he also disclosed plans to enlist more reservists.
"In 14 bandit-prone counties, he reiterated the government's resolve to swiftly restore and even boost the number of National Police Reservists," he said.
Content created and supplied by: JobW (via Opera News )
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