25 arrested in Kapedo operation, says Kimaiyo

Baringo, Kenya: Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo has defended the ongoing joint police and military operation in Kapedo, Baringo County.

Mr Kimaiyo said security forces on the ground are currently engaged in disarmament, which has so far seen 25 suspects arrested.

He further said 19 of them had already been arraigned in court, 21 firearms recovered while two are still missing. He, however, said no ammunition had been recovered during the crackdown.

The police boss sought to assure Kapedo residents that the operation was geared towards flushing out armed criminals and that officers involved had been instructed to ensure human rights of innocent and unarmed civilians are preserved.

He said it was as a result of the violent attack in the area that culminated in the killing of 23 police officers and five civilians by armed bandits that a combined operation was launched to flush out the bandits.

The Inspector General said police are conducting intensive investigations aimed at piecing together evidence relating to some political leaders, elders and retired officers from the region, who he said are involved in aiding and financing bandits.

RECOVERING WEAPONS

"I take this opportunity to warn all leaders to desist from such activities and instead preach peace and harmony among communities for the sake of cohesiveness and development in the area," Kimaiyo said.

He said contrary to recent sentiments by local leaders, the operation was solely aimed at recovering lost weapons and uniforms of the slain officers.

He further said security agencies will help recover illegal firearms and track down bandits.

In a statement on behalf of the IG, police spokesperson Zipporah Mboroki (pictured) said police in collaboration with other security agencies were determined to restore peace and order in Kapedo, its environs and the country as a whole.

"I wish to caution the media and the public against disclosing information or images in the mainstream media and social networks that are false or otherwise likely to compromise the ongoing operation. The operation will continue to be conducted in full adherence of the rule of law and without fear or favour," said Kimaiyo.

He disclosed that police, through an intelligence-led operation, had arrested 10 Al-Shabaab terror suspects planning to carry out revenge attacks in the country.

He said the suspects were linked to the recent attacks in Nairobi.

Kimaiyo said the suspects had sneaked out of Kenya to Somalia and back into the country in October in the company of two women suicide bombers.