NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 7 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Thursday held a consultative meeting with Meru County elected leaders to discuss ways of tackling insecurity in the Eastern region county.
Expressing deep concern over the escalating situation in the northern part of Meru, Kindiki assured the leaders and residents that the government is working round the clock to restore peace in the area.
He pointed out that this challenge is not confined solely to Meru North, revealing that 15 other counties are grappling with the scourge of banditry and cattle rustling.
“I want to give you my commitment. It doesn’t matter the maneuvers that the bandits apply, it doesn’t matter how persistent the problem looks,” Kindiki said.
“I want you to know that in the tenure of this administration and in my tenure as Interior Minister, we will stamp out the problem of banditry conclusively.”
Kindiki underscored the importance of collaboration with all stakeholders to eradicate livestock rustling across the nation.
By actively engaging with leaders from affected regions, Kindiki believes the government will be better equipped to confront the longstanding challenges posed by banditry.
Moreover, during the session, Kindiki briefed the leaders on the nationwide operation recently initiated by the government to combat the production, trade, consumption, and abuse of illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances.
He urged the leaders to cooperate with security agencies in cracking down on the perpetrators of the illicit alcohol trade, which he asserted jeopardizes the nation’s future.
Present in the meeting were Deputy Senate Speaker and Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, Chairman of the Meru Parliamentary Caucus and Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri, Woman Representative Elizabeth Kailemia, MPs Rahim Dawood (North Imenti), Shadrack Mwiti (South Imenti)a and Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East),
Others present were John Mutunga (Tigania West), John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North) and Dorothy Muthoni (Nominated), Speaker Ayub Bundi and all elected and nominated MCAs from Meru County Assembly.