By Ali Abdi

Bandits have taken over two key highways in northern Kenya.

And in response, the Government announced a shoot-to-kill order of highway robbers who attack motorists along the Nairobi-Isiolo-Moyale-Addis-Ababa Highway and the Isiolo-Wajir-Mandera road.

DCs from Samburu East, Marsabit South, Marsabit North, Marsabit Central and Moyale have directed the police to kill on sight suspected highway robbers along the Addis-Ababa road.

Security committees from the five districts resolved plainclothes police officers would nab suspects terrorising travellers along the route that connects Kenya with landlocked Ethiopia.

Marsabit South DC Daniel Obola told a meeting at Sereolipi in Samburu East, that the administration was aware a gang of nine who include police reservists were behind attacks along the Isiolo-Moyale and Isiolo-Wajir roads.

"We know them and they shall all be killed by December if they do not surrender. We cannot sit and watch when transporters are attacked on an international road," said the DC.

He said the Government was aware a nine-man gang, among them, three police reservists were behind attacks on the two highways. He read out the suspect’s names and said their days are numbered.

Obola said the Government had to act to save transporters, who include Ethiopians, from the bandits who attack motorists at Sereolipi in Samburu East and Merille in Marsabit South.

DCs who attended the meeting were Daniel Nduti (Samburu East), Elijah Kodoh (Marsabit North) and Paul Waweru (Marsabit Central). Saku MP Hussein Sasura and officials of NGOs and elders from the five districts graced the occasion.

The DCs said chiefs and councillors from affected areas would be arrested and prosecuted for abetting crime.

This year, more than 10 people have been killed along the Isiolo-Moyale road at Sereolipi and Merille sections while 23 have died along the Isiolo-Wajir highway at Shab Hills, Gambella and Kachuru in Tigania East and Igembe North districts.

Pupils and teachers of Macci Secondary School in Merti, officials of China National Offshore Oil Corporation exploring oil in Isiolo, a politician, clergymen and administrators and policemen had been attacked at Shab Hills and Gambella over the last five months.

"We have more security personnel at Shab, Gambella, Kichuru and Gotu but the bandits are still attacking motorists," said Adan Jirma, the Isiolo branch ODM chairman.

Isiolo DC James Kamau said Shab Hills and Gambella, two hotspots used by bandits to attack motorists fall in Tigania East and Igembe North adding that Isiolo was not to blame.

Obola said the four people gunned down by highway robbers near Gambella in Tigania East last week were suspected to be members of a the nine-man gang from Sereolipi and Merille.

Three of them, among them a homeguard, had been arrested and are in police custody in Igembe North.

The killings sparked off a riot in Isiolo. Protesters stoned Isiolo DC James Waweru after dumping the bodies at his office.

Sasura who is also an Assistant Minister for Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands asked leaders in Samburu East and Marsabit South to prevail on the people to ensure bandits do not attack vehicles plying the route. Sasura said pastoralists in Saku, North Horr and Moyale had buried their differences following the 2005 Turbi massacre.

He appealed residents in Laisamis, Samburu East and Isiolo to follow suit.

The MP said banditry would scare away investors, who include Ethiopians, who use the road.

He said his ministry would fund peace meetings and would work closely with the Pastoralists Parliamentary Group to address conflict in northern Kenya.