Pastoralist Community legislators have requested that Article 241(3) of the constitution be invoked and that the military take command of the operation to drive out bandits in the North Rift region.

PHOTO | COURTESY Pastoralist MPs want military to spearhead fight against banditry

They characterized the bandit threat as intolerable and the police-led operation as producing disappointing results under the direction of Saku Member of Parliament Dido Rasso.

According to Article 241 (3c), the National Assembly must consent before the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) can send troops to any portion of Kenya plagued by disturbance or instability to restore peace.

As long as it is conceivable for us as MPs to authorize the military to carry out its responsibilities to preserve property and way of life, Parliament must be contacted, according to Rasso.

Samson Cherargei, a senator from Nandi, also urged President Ruto to personally handle the situation in light of the latest wave of deaths by the bandits.

He added that the persons in charge of the situation "no longer have the capacity," adding that Parliament is ready to accept the proposal today afternoon and complete the approval in ten minutes.

PHOTO | COURTESY Pastoralist MPs want military to spearhead fight against banditry

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandagor also demanded the detention of political figures that support local banditry.

The senator emphasized that no leader is above the law and that political leaders have supported terrorism to encourage banditry.

"We desire the restoration of peace among our People. What's happening goes beyond banditry and Livestock theft, or we wouldn't witness the massacre of our children, "said Mandago".

"We desire the restoration of peace among our People. What's happening goes beyond banditry and Livestock theft or we wouldn't witness the massacre of our children, "said Mandago.

Also, the lawmakers are urging the government to provide directives for the quarantine of Livestock in the North Rift region throughout the ongoing operation to address insecurity.

Rasso stated, "We advise the government to issue directives to restrict animal movement, and they should be quarantined".

PHOTO | COURTESY Pastoralist MPs want military to spearhead fight against banditry

Communities were outraged when two doctors were murdered by bandits yesterday in Elgeyo Marakwet, calling on the government to act quickly to stop the situation.

On February 13, President Ruto gave the KDF the go-ahead to launch a cooperative security operation with the police in every area vulnerable to bandits.

Parts of Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, and Samburu counties as well as Samburu and Laikipia counties, are still involved in the operation.

After a rise in banditry incidents, the locations have been deemed unsettled and unsafe.

Throughout the war-torn countries, banditry has inflicted enormous suffering marked by numerous deaths and injuries over many years.

It's thought that the drought wreaking havoc in some of the banditry-prone areas is causing Livestock rustling and banditry.