We know where you are, and we will come for you, Murkomen warns banditry sponsors

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to individuals sponsoring and facilitating banditry in Samburu, West Pokot, Tiaty and Isiolo, saying the government will relentlessly pursue them through intelligence-led operations.

Murkomen said security agencies have identified those behind the attacks and vowed they would face the full force of the law.

"We know where you are, and we will come for you. Through intelligence-led operations, we will find you wherever you are, regardless of who you are, and we must deal with you," he said.

Speaking in Lolmolok, Suguta Ward in Samburu County Thursday, July 9, the CS announced the launch of a fresh security operation led by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and urged residents illegally possessing firearms to surrender them voluntarily before police begin a crackdown.

Murkomen said the operation seeks to restore peace, enable displaced families to return to their homes and ensure lasting stability in the region.

"What we did in other parts of Kerio Valley is what we are going to do here until this area is peaceful," he said.

He also announced plans to recruit more National Police Reservists (NPSs) and invest in critical infrastructure, including security installations, roads and mobile network coverage, to improve security and government presence in the affected areas.

We will vet the National Police Reservists in the area and increase their number even as we build roads, security installations and mobile network coverage,” he said.

Earlier on, Murkomen held a consultative meeting with local leaders and security stakeholders at Lolmolok in Suguta.

Here, he called upon those who have not surrendered their arms in the county and neighbouring Baringo and Isiolo to do so voluntarily before we go for them.

He told the meeting that they are intensifying their disarmament campaign and dealing firmly with the perpetrators of criminality and their abettors.

“We are also recovering stolen livestock and opening up the area through the development of critical infrastructure, including security roads and expanded network coverage," he said.

Murkomen was accompanied by the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, DIG (APS) Gilbert Masengeli, GSU Commandant Johana Tonui and other senior government officials.

Others were Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit, MPs Naisula Lesuuda (Samburu West) and Eli Letipila (Samburu North), former Governor Moses Lenolkulal and MCAs led by James Leleruk ( Suguta ward)