A massive operation to rid Kenya's pastoral communities of illegal arms is on the way.Senior military, police, intelligence and Provincial Administration officers met in Nairobi on Thursday to discuss how the disarmament will be carried out after the National Security Advisory Committee gave it the green light.
Areas where cattle rustling and banditry are prevalent will be targeted in the operation to be conducted jointly by all the security forces. The disarmament aims at mopping up over 50,000 firearms.
And depending on the outcome of the two-day deliberations, the Kenya Police Reserve (KPR) may be on its way out, with suggestions being made to disarmed and disband it. A similar disarmament exercise Operation Dumisha Amani failed in 2005.
Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and his Defence counterpart Yusuf Haji led the talks that were attended by Chief of the General Staff Jeremiah Kianga, Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere, head of National Security Intelligence Service Michael Gichangi and Administration Police boss Kinuthia Mbugua.
Prof Saitoti said that the European Union had pledged financial support for the planned disarmament programme, dubbed Dumisha Amani 2.
Areas targeted include upper Eastern and the North Rift, regions which have experienced perennial armed raids with the most recent attack claiming 32 lives in Laikipia North District.
Bloody incursions have also taken place in Samburu and Isiolo, pitting Borana, Turkana, Samburu and Somali communities.
I know there are different schools of thought on whether to mop up (illegal firearms) or not. But if its allowed to happen were going to be a bandit country and drive away investors, said Prof Saitoti.
Mr Haji suggested that the disarmament be extended to the police reservists, commonly known as home guards in the pastoral and border areas.
The home guards should be disarmed. Security officers should take over their duty, the minister said.
He claimed that guns given to the KPR by the government were being hired out to carry out cattle rustling.
Blamed politicians
Mr Haji, who once served as Rift Valley provincial commissioner blamed politicians for the deterioration of security in the region.
Some of the attacks in the areas are seen as politically motivated, with leaders inciting members of their communities to carry out raids on their neighbours.
Internal Security permanent secretary Francis Kimemia informed the forum that recent raids had shifted focus from stealing animals to contests for dominance and supremacy. Mr Kimemia said that stolen herds would in future be tracked using satellite technology.
Kenya would also be engaging its neighbours in the disarmament to ensure that locals are not exposed to aggression from rival communities across the borders.
Daily Nation
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