The Cabinet Secretary  Interior and Administration of National Government, Prof Kithure Kindiki, has assured the departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security that peace has been restored in the six North Rift counties that were declared as disturbed.

While appearing before the Committee chaired by Hon. Gabriel Tongonyo (Narok West), Prof Kindiki stated that to address the insecurity in Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu counties, the government announced a 30-day dusk to dawn curfew and through the concerted efforts of the multi-agency security teams and collaborative effort from the local communities, calmness has been experienced for the last five months.

“North Rift region is currently peaceful and relatively calm. Incidences of banditry have significantly reduced since the launch of operation ‘Maliza Uhalifu’. The security operation was spearheaded by the multi-agency security team encompassing KDF, GSU, ASTU, regular police, and NPRS,” he said.

According to the CS, through the security operations, 7,147 livestock, 646 illegal firearms and 285 rounds of ammunition have been recovered. Additional normalcy is now restored in the region and there is a free movement of people and goods and minimized counter and revenge attacks between communities in the affected counties.

“The operation led to successful recoveries of stolen livestock and bandits have been flushed out from their hideouts. Displaced communities have returned to their homes, criminals and suspects have been arrested and charged and schools have reopened,” Prof. Kindiki told the Committee Members.

According to the CS, for decades the region has experienced insecurity resulting from cattle rustling and banditry which has enveloped the counties and became a national security concern. He disclosed that the activities involved massive theft of livestock, killings and wanton destruction of property.

While responding to the members' concerns on the Kericho-Kisumu (Nyakach) ongoing unrest, the CS assured them that his Ministry is doing everything possible to stop the escalation of the violence.

He further told the Members that disciplinary actions had been taken against all law enforcement officers whose laxity led to loss of lives in the border conflict.

“The Kericho- Kisumu (Nyakach) dispute is an old problem that has been recurring from time to time. It is fueled by politics and it is not unique to these two counties only, a similar situation has been experienced in 27 other counties with border disputes across the country,” he said.