Editor's Review

"My message to the bandits is one, stop or face the full force of the law." 

The Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has addressed the surge in insecurity in the North Rift region after being faulted by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot.

In a statement on Tuesday, April 2, IG Koome said the resurgence of banditry in Baringo, Isiolo, and Meru Counties will not be condoned by the government.

The police boss noted that the government has established a multi-agency command center for Isiolo, Meru, Laikipia, and Samburu, deployed additional new sophisticated equipment, and Formed Police Units in the affected areas to beef up the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift.

IG Koome issued a stern warning to the bandits saying they will face the full force of the law if they don’t stop the attacks.

“Let me be clear, that whether the resurgence of these attacks is attributed to retaliations among members of communities, or collaboration among communities to attack members of other communities, or be they targeted attacks on security personnel and installations, expansionist tendencies or the commercialization of banditry as the case has been, my message to the bandits is one: stop or face the full force of the law,” Koome stated.

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A composite image of Aaron Cheruiyot and IG Japhet Koome.

This comes a day after Senator Cheruiyot raised concern about the Police IG’s silence on the banditry being witnessed in the North Rift.

Speaking on Sunday, March 31 in Bomet County, Cheruiyot said Interior CS Kithure Kindiki should not be entirely blamed for the insecurity in the North Rift region.

“I want to ask, where did the person we gave the Inspector General of Police job, named Koome, go? Why don't I hear his voice? How can you be the Inspector General of Police and Kenyans are being killed and maimed every day yet you are silent?” Cheruiyot posed.

Cheruiyot dared the police chief to resign if he could not protect Kenyans living in the North Rift Region.

"If he has failed in the role of safeguarding peace in Kenya, then he should leave the office so that we can find other people who can ensure the safety of our people's lives,” the Senate Majority Leader added.