IG NOMINEE KANJA PROPOSES HIGH-TECH ANIMAL TRACKING AND INCREASED SUPPORT FOR NORTH RIFT’S CATTLE RUSTLING CRISIS
Inspector-General of Police nominee Douglas Kanja has mooted a new strategy to contain cattle rustling in the North through the use of animal tracking technology.
And, at the vetting at the County Hall chambers, the nominee outlined his approach to taming cattle rustling, arguing that the crime had changed tact into commercialization and it was hard to recover livestock that was stolen.
“On my nomination being approved by Parliament and upon my appointment as the IG, the first thing I would like to do is work very closely with other stakeholders,” said Kanja. “This is a multi-pronged approach area.
“The police alone cannot do it; everybody is required to get on board, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. We can leverage technology so that if animals are stolen and brought to Nairobi for sale, we can trace them and punish the criminals as guided by the constitution.”
Kanja further called for more budgetary allocation to help boost Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, which was launched at the beginning of last year.
This operation is meant to control the menace of cattle rustling, banditry as well as inter-tribal clashes in the region. “I will be seeking more budgetary allocation to assist the ongoing operation meet its operational challenges,” he said.
Kanja also emphasized the need to involve the few and far between NPRs in such areas with scarce police cover. “NPRs are local people who understand the terrain. I’ll work very closely with the people and leadership of these areas to ensure that what is agreed is implemented,” he said. “Local solutions can be incorporated to assist the national government in addressing cattle rustling.”
A recent report on the security situation in the six counties encompassed in the operation has shown that it has not had much success.
Some areas are still facing sporadic attacks, leaving people dead and others losing their property to the conflict. Kanja has experiential knowledge of the North Rift and says his history adds him a strategic advantage in dealing with security in the area.
Despite the progress made so far, Kanja explained that much work was needed to make the operation a success with the government’s full support. “We have received back the air support services of the NPS, which is of great help. However, we still require more in terms of budgetary allocation,” he said. “I will continue to agitate for this because that way, we can ensure the menace is completely eradicated.
It was supposed to receive Sh4 billion, but to date it has only received a fraction of this amount. Kanja indicated his coordination was going to be close with the other security agents, including the military and National Intelligence officials, to ensure that they have taken comprehensive actions against the spiraling security threats in the region.
“This is one area I will be coming back from time to time to ensure that the forces on the ground are performing their roles,” he concluded.
