Saturday, April 13, 2024 –Members of Parliament now want a new special ministry aimed at dealing with banditry and terrorism in the country.
In a report prepared by the National Assembly Cohesion Committee and presented in a meeting held in Machakos County on Friday April 12, the lawmakers proposed that a special ministry should be dedicated to the hard-hit North Rift affairs.
They also agreed that having special guns in the area will help a great deal in reducing the cases of lawlessness in the region.
Likening the idea to what happens in other neighbouring jurisdictions, the MPs argued that, just like Uganda, Kenya also need to create such a ministry which will help, a great deal, in curbing marginalization shortfalls.
“In an effort to deal with the marginalisation of the region, Members resolved that a ministry dedicated to issues of the North Rift region equivalent to the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs of Uganda should be established,” read the statement as seen by the media.
Police will also be required to be armed with G3 guns to be able to combat the bandits who seem well armed, hardened and ready for any eventuality.
Having special guns, according to the MPs, will also help identify all illegal arms in the area and recover them from wrong hands.
This is because, most police officers and even army officers in the area, today, still use same arms as those used by bandits and other criminal elements in the region.
“They also want legislation that will safeguard the National Police Reservists Unit, remodel the unit, define their roles and enhance their training,” partly read the statement.
The MPs further underscored the importance of clearly defined borders within the region to address the persistent insecurity.
