Efforts are in place to have the government fully consider deploying the Kenya Defense Forces in regions where bandits are a problem.

PHOTO | COURTESY CS Kindiki Kithure

It was made public on Thursday when Aden Duale, the defence cabinet secretary, and Kithure Kindiki, the interior cabinet secretary, came before the joint parliamentary committee.

Nonetheless, CS Duale revealed that his ministry would ask the National Assembly for approval after the National Security Council decides on the plan.

When and if we decide that the KDF should take over, we will create a motion to present to the House for your approval. We are working with the Interior Ministry. We'll update the National Security Council and have a plan of action soon," he said.

Duale claimed that the lack of security in the gazetted areas was why President William Ruto sent KDF to fight bandits.

PHOTO | COURTESY Govt to consider full deployment of KDF to North Rift

To further their criminal activities, which also involved stealing and slaughtering cattle, the bandits targeted police personnel. He said the KDF was required to provide support and assistance because the officers in the area had limited mobility protection.

Duale claimed that the issue was national security, which the government handled as an emergency. They had not broken any laws because they had relied on Article 241, section 3 (a) and (b) of the Constitution before acting.

Lawmakers had raised concerns about the deployment, alleging that the government had operated without first getting Parliament's consent.

They also voiced reservations about how the operation is under, claiming it was impossible to determine who was delegating command to whom.

The Kenya Kwanza government has committed to deal with and end banditry during its rule, according to Interior CS Kidiki.

Kindiki asserted that he is confident that a national emergency exists.

In addition, he added that we have chosen to serve national interests and exclude all extraneous factors, including politics, from this operation, adding that we are open to listening to all stakeholders.