Thursday, 23 February 2023, Rift Valley County Commissioner, Dr. Abdi Hassan, held a press briefing in Nakuru on the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) in the North Rift aimed at flushing out the bandits. During the press briefing, the Regional Commissioner promised to maintain high level of professionalism throughout the operation only targeting criminals. He also clarified that the situation is calm, with at least 23 rifles surrendered mainly from Samburu and Turkana Counties. “The law abiding citizens in the gazette areas should not be worried, they won’t be targeted neither harassed, we have our intelligence led operation that will only smoke out criminals and so I appeal to the citizens here to collaborate and support the government agencies.” Said Dr. Abdi.
Adding to his comments, the Regional Commissioner emphasized on those in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them voluntarily instead of waiting for the government to enforce the other phase. The County Commissioner affirmed that the National Police Service remain to be the lead agency in the operation and the military will only come in to support or compliment. During the brief, Dr. Abdi Hassan was in company of the ASOB Commander Brigadier A M Saman and Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Mr. Tom Odero.
Similarly, Baringo County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC) held a meeting with the Multiagency operation commanders of the Operation Maliza Uhalifu on the six counties declared as disturbed. The meeting was chaired by Baringo County Commissioner Mr. Abdirisack Jaldesa, bringing together representatives from KDF, NPS, DCI, NIS and NGAO.
In his comments during the meeting, Mr.Jaldesa stressed on identifying and applying different approaches to seek a lasting solution since operations in the North Rift has become a norm. “We will not start from scratch but rather work together with the special operations teams and come up with more effective approaches to curb the menace and we appreciate that now KDF is on board.” Said Mr.Jaldesa.
The County Commissioner also noted on the misinformation being spread across the social media and sensitized that is very vital for all to note that any press briefing regarding the Operation will be done at Regional level like the press briefing held today the 23 February 2022 in Nakuru was led by Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan.
Also in meeting, the Commanding Officer 20 Parachute Battalion L.t Col A M Mwabili who pointed on the psychological warfare that is taking root in the North Rift communities, and urged the commanders with their troops on ground to maintain vigilance and desist from those ideas.
Others present at the meeting were Baringo County Police Commander Mr.Julius Kiragu and County Intelligence Coordinator Mr. George Obuolo.
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