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Gov’t declares 6 North Rift counties ‘disturbed areas’ as 100 civilians killed in 6 months

Monday, February 13th, 2023 20:24 | By
'Right to demonstrate is limited' - CS Kindiki cautions Kenyans ahead of mass action
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. PHOTO/Courtesy

The government has termed the current security situation in the Northern Rift Valley region as a "national emergency" as the death toll from banditry continues to rise.

Consequently, the government flagged six bandit-prone counties in the region including Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwt, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu as 'disturbed' and 'dangerous'.

In a press statement on Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki noted that during the last six months over 100 civilians and 16 police officers have been brutally murdered forcing his ministry to take painful decisive measures to deal with the situation.

"The government has determined the security situation currently prevailing in the Northern Rift Valley region as a National Emergency. Accordingly, painful and decisive measures must be taken effective immediately.

"I have today February 23, 2023, declared through a Kenya Gazette Notice of even date, certain areas specified therein within Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwt, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu counties as 'disturbed' and 'dangerous' areas triggering the legal consequences arising therefrom," part of the statement read.

Further, the CS ordered that unlicensed firearm and illegal ammunition holders surrender the weapons unconditionally within three days or face the law.

This follows President William Ruto's earlier directive to deploy Kenya Defence Forces(KDF) officers to joint security operations with the police in all bandit-prone areas beginning Tuesday, February 14.

Ruto was speaking on Monday, February 13 at the Nakuru State Lodge.

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