Editor's Review

CS Kindiki was puzzled after learning the bandits also have spiritual leaders who pray for them.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced arrest of a spiritual leader offering prayers to bandits.

In a strongly-worded statement released on Sunday, March 12, Kindiki revealed that some clerics and politicians had been found to have a hand in the ongoing attacks in northern Kenya.

According to Kindiki, the government had acquired a full directory of the individuals whose photos and names he said will be displayed to the public soon.

"In a short while, we shall be circulating the names and photographs of these dark pillars of the evil network that is banditry.  The government shall offer significant monetary rewards to any member(s) of the public who give us information that leads to successfully arrest these dangerous elements.

Already, one of them, a spiritual leader who has been providing prophetic support to the bandits has been apprehended," said Kindiki.

At the same time, Kindiki directed all civilians living in specific banditry-prone areas to vacate within the next 24 hours. 

He stated that the areas have been declared crime scenes, and any person who will be found there from Monday, March 13, 2023, would be treated as a bandit.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.

“The specified spaces are hereby declared scenes of crime and any person found therein from Monday, March 13, 2023, at 0830 hours will be treated as a suspect of armed banditry, or as a suspect of aiding and abetting banditry, or an accessory after the fact. Everyone must get out,” said the CS.

The areas are; Korkor hills, Tandare Valley, Silale in Baringo, Mukogodo, Kamwenje Lekuruki, Losos, Kiape Seku Valley, and Laikipia.

Other areas include; Tungai Longewan, Nasur, Lochokia, Lekadar escarpments, Suguta Valley, and Martin to Tungai-Samburu; and Kabelbok Kamur Nadome Turkwel Escarpments in Turkana.

Kindiki also revealed that the government has identified leaders and politicians in charge of the bandit groups noting that they would pursue them in the coming days.

“Intelligence has led us to identify a handful of senior commanders in charge of the bandit network as well as their spiritual leaders, political patrons and the commercial beneficiaries of bandit gangs. We know who they are, where they are and how they are operating,” said Kindiki.

He added," In a short while, we shall be circulating the names and photographs of these dark pillars of the evil network that is banditry." 

Kindiki also stated that one spiritual leader aiding the bandits has been arrested. 

"Already, one of them, a spiritual leader who has been providing prophetic support to the bandits has been apprehended," he revealed.

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