Rachel Ruto leads week-long prayers to end banditry in North Rift
First Lady Rachel Ruto graced an ongoing prayer session in Marigat, Baringo county organized to end banditry in the North Rift region.
The prayer service dubbed 'Healing the Land' led by the First Lady, brought together residents, religious leaders and political leaders from the six counties in the North Rift affected by banditry.
Rachel graced the week-long prayer service today May 13, 2023. She was accompanied by Simon Chelugui - Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Co-operatives & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematia, Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ng'elechei, Baringo South Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Kamuren, Nominated MP Bishop Jackson Kosgei, CAS David Kerich and other leaders, residents and religious leaders from the six counties.
Religious leaders took time to ask for forgiveness on behalf of their warring communities, noting that banditry attacks have left many orphaned, women have been left as widows and uncountable loss of property.
The religious leaders from the warring communities of Pokot, Turkana, Ilchamus, Marakwet and Tugen also signed a peace covenant by washing each other's feet, partaking in the holy communion and exchanging honey and cows.
Leaders noted that it is time, political leaders embraced each other in order to bring unity among the people.
The leaders also noted that taking development to the marginalized areas in the North Rift will have a long-term solution to dealing with the banditry menace.
Banditry
Early February 2023, the government declared total war on North Rift bandits.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared a curfew in parts of Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu and Laikipia counties.
“This Order shall apply during the hours of darkness with effect from February 14, 2023, and shall remain in effect for a period of thirty (30) days,” the order read in part.
The government ordered the deployment of KDF to carry out a joint security operation with police to flush out bandits.
The government termed the security situation in the region a “national emergency” with more than 100 civilians and 16 people killed in the last six months.
Speaking during his visit to the Operation Maliza Uhalifu Command Centre at Chemolingot, Tiaty in Baringo county Saturday, April 29, 2023, Kindiki announced that a multi-agency security team deployed in the North Rift Valley had successfully managed to drive away bandits in the troubled areas.
The Interior CS noted that the security officers had successfully counteracted bandits by dominating their hideouts in gorges, ravines, escarpments and hills.
