Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has stated that the security operation dubbed Maliza Uhalifu will be extended to more counties in 2024.

The operation has been ongoing in banditry-prone zones in Baringo and Turkana Counties and the CS has now revealed plans to have it extended to three more counties.

"To effectively degrade bandit networks, the ongoing Maliza Uhalifu Operation, which commenced on February 14, 2023, is being extended into parts of Meru, Isiolo, and Marsabit Counties.

"New areas in the Northern Grazing Area in Meru North, parts of Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, and banditry hotspots in Samburu County will shortly come under curfew and emergency measures to facilitate the flushing out of bandits and recovery of stolen livestock," Kindiki said in a statement on X.

The former Tharaka Nithi Senator also condoled the families of officers who lost their lives in the operation and those who have been affected by the menace in northern Kenya.

"Additional areas will be gazetted as 'Disturbed and Dangerous' as the operation assumes its third phase.

"The government condoles and stands in solidarity with the families whose kin have been harmed and our frontline officers who have sacrificially fallen in the line of duty," he added.

The CS affirmed the government's commitment to fight the banditry scourge to help spur development in the affected areas.

"Into 2024, the government remains glued to the vision of defeating banditry, destroying its evil infrastructure, building the resilience of affected communities, and mainstreaming them into national development," he continued.

The Minister also held a strategic review and forward planning meeting with security teams from the Rift Valley and Eastern Regions and Formation Field Commanders at Archer's Post in Samburu County.