The Kenyan government is advocating for a comprehensive approach to address insecurity in the North Rift and northern frontier counties. Principal Secretary in the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, emphasized that lasting peace must go beyond security operations to include reconciliation, access to essential services, and economic development. Insecurity has significantly impacted everyday life in the affected regions, forcing residents to prioritize their safety and survival.
Insecurity has had far-reaching effects on families in the North Rift and northern frontier counties. Residents live in fear, with parents worrying about their children's safety to and from school, pastoralists risking attacks while searching for pasture, and traders concerned about security threats along roads. The impact of insecurity extends beyond violence, with families losing loved ones, livestock, and homes, while children experience disruptions to their education and businesses struggle to operate.
Despite the challenges, Omollo highlighted the significant potential of the North Rift and northern frontier regions for tourism, agriculture, and enterprise. The regions have landscapes stretching from the Korkoron Hills to the Suguta Valley, and residents share similar aspirations with other Kenyans, including educating their children, growing businesses, and improving their living standards. However, insecurity continues to hinder these goals.
The government has cited gains from security operations, including Operation Maliza Uhalifu, launched in February 2023, and disarmament efforts under Operation Rudisha Bunduki. These operations have resulted in the recovery of over 2,600 illegal firearms and more than 17,000 head of livestock. Omollo stressed that sustaining these gains requires authorities to pursue livestock theft beyond the scene of attacks and hold financiers and organizers accountable.
The government has invested in infrastructure to restore economic activity and improve access to essential services in affected areas. Over Sh4.2 billion has been spent on security roads and infrastructure, resulting in the construction or improvement of over 520 kilometers of roads. These investments aim to facilitate access to markets, healthcare facilities, and other essential services.
Omollo emphasized the importance of involving local communities in security initiatives, as they understand grazing routes, shared water points, and disputes that could escalate into violence. He called for coordinated action involving security agencies, national government ministries, and county governments to sustain progress. Reconciliation, access to justice, and support for affected households are crucial to accompany security interventions.
Omollo argued that lasting peace will be measured by improved lives, with children able to attend school without interruptions, pastoralists able to move their livestock safely, and families able to access essential services without fear. The region's greatest potential lies in the abilities and enterprise of its people, whose aspirations deserve an opportunity to flourish.
Key points
- The Kenyan government is seeking a comprehensive approach to address insecurity in the North Rift and northern frontier counties.
- The government has invested in infrastructure, including over 520 kilometers of roads, to restore economic activity and improve access to essential services.
- Reconciliation, access to justice, and support for affected households are crucial to accompany security interventions.
