ministry of Interior under CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki and his PS Dr. Raymond Omollo, have put on serious efforts behind combating this menace and securing the region from the Bandits. The past one year has seen Kenyan security apparatus teaming up and camping in Those areas to flush out the criminals.
Our nation has been dealing with conflict in the North Rift for a long time. Diverse causes contribute to the problem. There are some causes that are historical, while others are contemporary. Let’s look at some of fueling factors.
1.Regional Inequality, exclusion and marginalization dating back to colonial times, where colonialists neglected Kenya’s arid and semi-arid areas by prioritizing development in the country’s natural resources endowed highlands. Successive post-independence Governments continued to pursue policies that further marginalized the region; that have damaged trust in state institutions and produced communal grievances that hinder inter- group unity.
2.Resource and Environmental factors.
Disputes over land, competition for scarce pastures and conflicts between herders and farmers continue to drive violence in the North.
3.Political Power struggles
Power struggles between politicians incite inter-clan rivalry, escalating tensions and undermining devolution.Elective political posts are perceived to provide access to economic resources. Devolving power to the counties along with political alliances have helped to decentralise political power and the provision of essential services. However, they have intensified local-level political competition. Politicians incite inter-clan rivalry, escalating tensions and undermining the benefits of devolution.
4. Cultural Practices
These practices largely manifest in Cattle rustling and stock theft, driven by economic motives.Radicalisation of some of the communities begins at a very young age as the bandits are respected societal figures and role models. Consequently, this has neutered the effectiveness of government interventions because the practice is culturally embedded.
5. Proliferation of small arms and weapons.
Cross-border activities have contributed to the increase in small arms, illicit trade in cattle. Kenya’s borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda are porous and have contributed to the increase in small arms, illicit trade in cattle, terrorism and other forms of organised crime.
Disarmament operations have increased tensions between borderland communities and the NPS joint operations, while proposing the following long term solutions;

~ Establishment of military and police training facilities in the banditry prone counties.
~ Establishment of operational camps in every sub county, occupied by GSU and RDU personnel.
~ Improve infrastructure, bad roads hamper security operations while it enables conditions for laying ambush.
~ Deliberate efforts to empower these communities economically and through Education.Education is one of the best de-radicalisation tools that can help reprogram the cultural connection with banditry.
It is important to note that, Whereas Banditry /Cattle rustling in North Rift requires security ops intervention, it is not solely a security issue;
It is an agricultural issues, it is a trade issue, it is a cultural issue, it is a water issue, it is a development and infrastructural issue, a health and educational issue.
There is need for Cabinet Secretaries inthe above ministries to team up and join Prof.Kindiki and Dr.Raymond in this fight like CS Duale did by bringing in the KDF in the Operation Maliza Uhalifu.
ACTIONS.
The Ministry of Interior’s focus is on law enforcement without political, ethnic, cultural, or religious affiliations to ensure the safety and security of the people.
Key Summary:
1. The government is enhancing kinetic operations against bandits and armed criminals in the North Rift Valley Region, accompanied by an unprecedented emphasis on law enforcement.
2. The fight against criminal atrocities perpetrated by bandits will be free from political, ethnic, cultural, or religious influences.
3. The government's determination is to dismantle the intricate infrastructure of banditry by targeting benefactors, beneficiaries, accessories, planners, and executors of these criminal activities.
4. Political and other leaders are urged to avoid politicizing security matters or interfering with security operations to allow national security organs and agencies to decisively combat banditry and terror.
5. Multi-agency security officers deployed in the six North Rift Valley Counties will remain on the ground until the banditry menace is completely eradicated.
6. Security forces are scoring significant victories in the fight against violent livestock robbers terrorising communities in Northern Kenya.

When year 2024 started, The interior Ministry heads stated that their priority in 2024 will remain the safety and security of Kenyans.
Reflecting on 2023 in Kinna, Isiolo County, the CS stated that 2023 was a difficult year globally and locally.
“ Terrorism, banditry, narcotics, corruption, violence, cyber-attacks and climate change lingered as the most consequential threats to our Homeland Security. In our assessment, they will remain so into 2024,” The CS noted.
Leveraging insights gained thus far, the Interior boss underscored the government's commitment to eliminating the scourge of banditry and dismantling its political, cultural, and commercial networks.
Kindiki affirmed that 2024 will be a pivotal year, marked by an escalation of efforts in the ongoing war against banditry.
It is during that time that CS Kindiki announced the reorganisation of the security apparatus in the North Rift region to end banditry.
The reorganisation touched on the management, command and control of the National Police Reservists (NPR) to supplement the capabilities of the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in the operation ‘Maliza Uhalifu’.
In 2023, 1,702 National Police Reservists were trained in various counties as a move towards strengthening local law enforcement capabilities.
Additionally, Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the North Rift led to the arrest of 279 bandits and the recovery of 148 illegal firearms, dismantling networks that have long threatened peace in the region.
The recovery of 26,968 stolen cattle from bandits was more than just a law enforcement victory; it was a restoration of livelihoods and hope for many affected communities. There was 70% decrease in Banditry attacks since The operation was launched.
The government released Sh100 million to rehabilitate schools affected by banditry in Baringo North and South Sub-counties.
This was confirmed by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki at Kimalel in Baringo South during a pass out parade ceremony of 200 national police reservists.
The Cabinet secretary also said that his ministry will lobby for a further Sh100 million for the same purpose saying the initial amount may not be enough. He said the rehabilitation works will be carried out by the military.
CS Kindiki launched construction of four security roads in Baringo South and North sub- counties as well as establishing new administrative units that will help in the fight against insecurity in the two administrative units.

On 24th July, 2023, PS Dr. Raymond Omollo visited Marsabit and expressed satisfaction that the war against cattle rustling and other banditry activities is being won, adding that the government would soon enlist NPR to ensure the gains made were sustained.
Speaking in Marsabit, The PS thanked local residents for their continued support in the fight against crime and urged them to maintain peace by cultivating good relations among themselves.
As always, he also underlined the importance of education and asked parents to enroll their school-age children in school in order to prepare them for a bright future.
He advised them to offer equal opportunities to both boys and girls and asked the local administration to check on retrogressive customary practices like early marriages to ensure no child was denied education.
2024 MILESTONES
This year, the Government remains focused on the fight against terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling and other organised criminal activities.
Security agencies have continued to register crucial successes in the war against violent livestock robbers terrorising communities in Northern Kenya.
The Government is committed to provide a firm policy framework for eradication of banditry, encouraging and rewarding security officers who demonstrate exceptional valour, risking their lives to ensure banditry threats are neutralized and stolen livestock is recovered.
Conversely, the Ministry of interior has stated that security officers, public officials and opinion leaders of whatever description who facilitate banditry will face painful legal consequences.
~On January 4,2024, CS Kindiki witnessed the handover of over 200 camels stolen but recovered from bandits at Mulango Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) Camp, Isiolo County.
The Government welcomed the intention by Isiolo and Samburu County political leaders to assist in identification of persons suspected to be perpetrators of banditry and in the recovery of stolen livestock.
~On January 11, 2024, the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Francis Ogolla and Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome toured the North Rift Region as Operation Maliza Uhalifu continued to pacify.
Among the areas visited were the Multi-Agency Command Centre and Kolowa Primary School in Baringo. They acknowledged various projects and exercises in the North Rift region contributing to the overarching goal of establishing peace and stability and affirmed

their dedication to ensuring insecurity is addressed in the areas.
~On March 4, 2024, The government resorted to deploying specialised officers to supplement ongoing operations to address banditry in parts of North Rift.This was part of fresh efforts to address the gangs behind the trend.
Having an increased number of bandit commanders who have been neutralized or arrested was a confirmation that Operation Maliza Uhalifu is a success.
To promote peace in the North Rift Valley region, the government is setting up peace schools.
The move, according to Interior CS, will help bring children from different communities who have been affected by banditry.
The CS noted that as a government, they believe that no child is born a bandit, explaining that it is possible to unteach the children from the retrogressive culture of death and livestock rustling.
This,CS Kindiki said, will be done by inculcating the right values, and imparting the children with education and other technical skills that will make them useful members of our society.
In addition to that, the Interior CS said the ministry is adding more personnel to address banditry in the North Rift and Eastern region.
For the State to ruthlessly pursue the livestock rustlers, the government is deploying the same measures which were deployed to tackle terrorism.
To boost this operation, Prof Kindiki commissioned the first batch of modern security equipment last week.
It is important to note that the Kenya Kwanza government has in the last six months invested Sh7.6 billion and will spend another Sh29.4 billion in the next three years under the Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) programme, to acquire sophisticated protected and mobility equipment.
The equipment include;
-Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs).
-Armoured Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
-Drones
-Gunship Helicopters
-Mine Sweepers
-Personal Protection Equipment to support the sacrificial and patriotic work of our frontline officers.