Inspector General nominee Douglas Kanja has expressed commitment to ending banditry if approved by the Parliament.
Speaking when he appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations for vetting on Thursday, Kanja said he will work closely with all leaders to ensure banditry is stopped for good.
He said that he would use additional National Police Reservists (NPR) in places where they are understaffed.
He insisted that the NPRs are locals and they understand the issues in the affected areas better than anyone.
Kanja said ending banditry needs local solutions and that is what he will do.
“If approved and appointed, IG I would leverage National Police Reservists in areas where we are thin(understaffed). They are local people, they understand their terrains, their traditions, and their way of life.
“I would work very closely with the leadership of this areas to see to it that what is agreed is implemented because I know that we have local solutions that can be incorporated and assist the national government in sorting out issues of cattle rustling,” the IG nominee said.
Kanja noted that he worked in Baringo before adding that cattle rustling remains a thorny issue to date.
He insisted that he clearly understands the challenges in bandit-hit areas and he will personally ensure the right thing is done.
The IG nominee said it is an area he will personally take charge of to make sure children get back to school and parents return to their normal duties without having to fear any possible attacks.
“For the people in those areas, I want to affirm to them that it’s an area I understand very well. I understand the problem that is there. It is an area I will be going to from time to time to ensure the forces on the ground are doing what they are supposed to do.
“To ensure the children of this area go back to schools and the mothers and fathers do what they are supposed to do from morning to morning without having to look over their shoulders over insecurity. This is a matter that I will personally take charge of,” Kanja said.
Kanja briefly acted as IG after Japhet Koome’s resignation following anti-government protests.
