Phase Two of Operation Maliza Uhalifu launched

The government has launched a full-scale security operation targeting bandit hideouts in Laikipia County in a renewed effort to tackle escalating insecurity.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the establishment of a second Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) command centre in Kirimon, Laikipia County, aimed at restoring peace in volatile areas.

Murkomen noted that the multi-agency operation will include the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, National Government Administration Officers, National Police Reservists and forest rangers.

The new security deployment will cover Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, and parts of Meru.

Murkomen said the operation will commence with an intense crackdown on bandit hideouts in Mukokodo Forest and other troubled regions within Laikipia, Samburu East, and Maralal.

“We still have a problem in Mukokodo Forest, parts of Samburu East, and Maralal but we will secure the area,” he noted.

The CS also issued a warning to politicians suspected of aiding banditry in Kerio Valley, cautioning that they would face the full force of the law.

He said reservists and rangers should remain under government command and not be turned into personal militias by political leaders.

The government’s efforts to combat banditry began with the first OMU command centre established at Chemolingot in Baringo County.

Murkomen emphasized that the new Kirimon base will complement the Chemolingot command and will have a separate command structure to handle emerging security threats

“We are separating command centres. We are setting a new command centre at Kirimon, and it will complement the Chemolingot base,” he noted.

He said that OMU Two will focus on addressing the spillover of criminal activities into neighboring counties.

Murkomen sought to assure residents that security forces were committed to ensuring normalcy returned to affected areas.