Ruto's call for peace amid continued North Rift insecurity

President William Ruto during a security meeting at his Kilgoris home in Narok on Saturday, March 30. [PCU]

President William Ruto has called on the nation to remain steadfast in efforts to restore peace in the North Rift region.

He made the call during a meeting with the top security officials at his Kilgoris home in Narok on Saturday, March 30.

The meeting sought to discuss security situation in North Rift.

“The security operation in the North Rift has had significant impact in restoring peace. Recent incidents of cattle rustling and banditry are being handled with new additional measures,” Ruto said in a statement on X.

 “We are determined to restore peace in the North Rift and all other parts of the country that have witnessed disturbance of peace,” he added.

 Security chiefs present included Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, Principle Secretary Raymond Omollo, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and his deputies Douglas Kanja and Noor Gabow.

Despite the efforts, the North Rift region continues to grapple with insecurity.

 Lives have been lost, property destroyed, and people displaced as suspected bandits continue to rule parts of the North Rift.

Even with the heavy deployment of security personnel to the region, bandits have often had their day.

In 2023, the government deployed multi-agency troops comprising Kenya Defence Forces and National Police Service under ‘Operation Maliza Uhalifu’ North Rift.

Ruto, in February 2023, ordered joint security operations in the North Rift.

Following the deployment, Kindiki said security forces will set up camps in the bandit-prone areas to eradicate the menace.

However, despite these measures, the situation in the violatile region remains precarious.

In August 2023, Kindiki said the government had restored peace in the North Rift, a claim that contrasts with the current state of affairs.

As the government continues its efforts to restore peace, the people of North Rift hope for a swift and lasting solution to the insecurity plaguing their region.