Ruto Orders Deployment Of KDF To West Pokot
He also ordered that police officers be deployed to supplement the military forces in West Pokot to ensure the safety of school children.
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President William Ruto on Monday, April 8 ordered the deployment of the military forces in a bid to deal with the banditry menace in West Pokot, arguing that it was unacceptable for some schools to remain closed due to insecurity.
Speaking during the launch of the Ksh45 billion Cemtech Sebit Clinkerization plant in West Pokot, the Head of State revealed that the military under the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) would begin an operation in the region in the next two days.
"You have said that there are five schools that have not been opened. I want to announce while in West Pokot, in the next two days, the military will be there and they will make sure that the schools are rebuilt and reopened for term three," he stated.
Kenya Defence Forces soldiers during a past deployment. /FILE
He also ordered that police officers be deployed to supplement the military forces in West Pokot to ensure the safety of school children.
The Head of State further lamented that West Pokot was still having to contend with banditry and cattle rustling when the rest of the country was making progress.
"You have seen that our Nairobi Stock Exchange has moved from the worst stock exchange to the best in the world, but here you are engaged in stock theft," he challenged West Pokot residents referencing the perennial cattle rustling in the region.
Once the army secures the region, Ruto asked West Pokot residents to make sure that they sent their children to schools.
This is not the first time President Ruto has had to rely on the military to combat the banditry menace in the North Rift.
On February 13, 2023, he ordered a joint security operation between the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces in banditry-prone areas in a bid to tame the rampant insecurity in the North Rift region, which was to kickstart the following day.
In addition, he also announced a three-day voluntary disarmament exercise starting February 14 which gave the green light for the surrender of guns with no repercussions.
"We will deal firmly with the drivers of illegal arms in the country. This is necessary and urgent, particularly in the North Rift.
"We must always endeavour to nurture peace for the transformation of our country," stated Ruto in part.
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