Two infantry companies made up of about 600 soldiers supported
by the Kenya Air Force are in Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo and
West Pokot counties to ensure residents' security.
A
report from the Kenya Defence Forces to the National Assembly states
that the soldiers would continue with the operation until the National
Security Council withdraws them.
“The expenditure will
come from the Civil Contingency Fund for the 2016/17 financial year,”
the report, signed by Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo said.
The fund is usually set aside for emergencies.
President
Kenyatta sent the military to the five counties following attacks by
armed raiders who killed, injured and displaced people.
“The
military will assist in disarmament and surrender of illegally held
arms,” President Kenyatta said. He added that people with illegal
firearms were a threat to Kenyans.
During
the State of the Nation address last week, the President blamed
politicians in those areas for the deaths of dozens of residents,
livestock thefts, destruction of property and displacement of people.
He asked the local peoples to use community policing so that citizens can volunteer support and information to the police.
In
the report submitted to the National Assembly, Ms Omamo said the
National Police Service had sought the support of the military in
dealing with the emergencies.
Residents and leaders of
Baringo welcomed the President’s decision to deploy the soldiers. A
previous crackdown had failed to end violence and banditry.
A day before the deployment of the troops, seven women and four children were killed.
At
least 25 people have been killed in Baringo in the past three weeks
despite the presence of 230 police officers and 151 reservists.
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