The fight against banditry in Kenya’s Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties is being hampered by a lack of a unified action plan and supremacy battles within the multi-agency security team, including the military and the National Police Service, deployed to tackle the issue.
Security personnel have alleged that officers from different units, each with their own intelligence-gathering methods, are not sharing information or resources, and that greed and personal gain motivate some officials to collaborate with bandits.
The rivalry between the Administration Police and the regular police also contributes to the problem.
The lack of a common approach means that bandits continue to operate with impunity, despite President William Ruto’s strong determination to put an end to the problem.
