Nairobi, Kenya, Feb 14 – The Government has declared a month-long curfew in parts of the North Rift region following increased cases of insecurity in the area.
The dusk-to-dawn curfew which takes effect Tuesday, February 14, will pave way for a major security operation to pacify the area that has witnessed a rise in banditry and cattle rustling in recent months.
The counties mostly from the Kerio valley Belt include West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Baringo, Samburu, and Turkana.
“Under this Order, there shall be no public gatherings, processions or movement, either alone or as a group during the period of the curfew except as has been permitted in writing by the Inspector General of the National Police Service,” read a gazette notice signed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
Under the Curfew Order, Kindiki says there shall be no public gatherings, processions or movement, either alone or as a group during the period of the curfew except as has been permitted in writing by the Inspector-General of the National Police Service.
In Turkana, the order shall apply in Turkana South, Turkana East and Loima Sub-counties in West Pokot (Pokot North and Sigor sub-Counties (along the river Turkwel Escarpment) while in Elgeyo Marakwet (Marakwet East and Marakwet West Sub-counties).
In Baringo County, Mukutani, Muchongoi, Bartabwa, Tiaty East and Tiaty West Sub-counties will be under curfew while in Laikipia the same shall apply inOlmoran, Ng’arua, and Mukogodo Divisions.
Samburu’s Loroki and Kirisia Divisions will also be under the 30 -day curfew.
The move comes after President William Ruto announced the start of a major operation to mop up illegal arms in the North Rift region.
Ruto said Monday the security operation will be conducted by a multi-agency security team including officers drawn from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The Head of State who spoke in Nakuru said he had instructed Defense CS Aden Duale and his Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki to draw a joint strategy.
He said the operation will seek to end banditry that has rocked parts of the country including the Kerio Valley Belt.
President Ruto further announced a three-day amnesty period for the bandits and anyone with illegal arms to surrender their weapons or face the full force of the law.
“We have said from tomorrow (Tuesday)everybody who is in possession of an unlicensed firearm, that is not government issued, they must surrender in three days,” he said.
The Head of State said that the security agencies will pitch camp in the area until order is restored in the restive North.
“We will not leave that area until every illegal gun has been returned, until all children have gone to school, and until we have stopped this menace,” he added.
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