Police asked to exercise caution while dealing with bandits

Retired Catholic Bishop Luigi Paiaro has called on security forces carrying out operation in parts of northern Kenya to exercise professionalism during the delicate exercise.

Speaking to People Daily Digital in his office at the Mary Immaculate Cathedral in Nyahururu town on Monday, March 13 the bishop said the exercise should have minimal disturbance on lives of people in those areas.

“They should ensure children continue going to school as the operation goes on,” the Bishop Emeritus said.

The former Nyahururu Catholic diocese bishop told the security forces to blaze themselves for risk and delicate exercise trying to separate criminals and innocent people.

He spoke as the government ordered people to leave the operation areas.

Police order

On Sunday, March 12, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared some areas as crime scenes and gave those living there 24 hours to vacate else the government will not be responsible for what befalls them as the second phase of the operation began at the weekend.

Bishop Luigi welcomed the operation saying there is a need to bring peace and tranquility in the volatile parts of Rift Valley where lives have been lost over the years.

He urged people living in those areas to cooperate with the security forces.

“I know people in those areas live in fear and might not speak out for fear of revenge despite knowing the criminals living in their midst.

“Their fear is understandable since they have seen even chiefs being killed.

“But I know they are happy to see that the government has finally accepted that there is insecurity in the region,” he said.

He urged leaders in those areas to avoid making inflammatory statements or spreading propaganda about the security operation.

He said the state of insecurity in those areas has various causes among them cattle ownership, bid to dispossess others of their land, and just people with criminal minds.