Natembeya: North Rift bandits more dangerous than Al Shabaab militants

The bandits that are currently terrorising residents in North Rift region are more daring and dangerous than terrorists, this is according to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

While trying to underscore the dire situation that the country is facing in the banditry-stricken North Rift region, Governor Natembeya said that President William Ruto's government must face the bandits with maximum force.

"Hii inatakikana kuwa juu ya Al Shabaab. Hawa jamaa siyo kama Al Shabaab. Wajua Al Shabaab ni watu waoga sana, ambao wanakuja wanajificha msikitini alafu wanalipua bomu ama ana plant IED kwa mchanga gari likija linapita juu, hawa ni watu waoga sana.

"Lakini hawa majangili wa North Rift siyo watu waoga, ni watu ambao wana take on security agencies. Ni watu ambao wakijua askari wanakuja wanaweka ambuish, wanapiga askari marisasi, wanaua askari, alafu wanachukua bunduki na unforms zao na kuenda nazo," Natembeya said during an interview with NTV on Monday, February 13.

Before becoming governor, Natembeya had served as the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner for three years, and cites frustrations from the Interior Ministry as well as poor remuneration of police officers as the reasons why he failed to weed out bandits. 

"Nilitoka Rift Valley nikiwa frustrated sana. Hata kama haikuwa siasa, mimi nilikuwa nimechoka kwa sababu haiwezi kuwa kazi ya regional commissioner kuamka asubuhi na kupeana ripoti kwamba watu flani wameuawa. Ukipigia simu PS Kibicho hachukui, kwa miaka mitatu yote niliongea na Kibicho mara mbili peke yake. Mtu aliyekuwa anachukua simu ni Rais wa Kenya peke yake. Askari hawapewi marupurupu, askari hawana chakula, magari yao hayana mafuta," Natembeya added.

He urged President Ruto to facilitate police officers and not to listen to politicians from the area, some of whom are the fanning the banditry menace.