Trans-Nzoia governor George Natembeya has advised the security organs deployed to disarm bandits in the North Rift region to critically scrutinise the situation before going ahead with the mission.

Governor Natembeya noted that the ambitious mission to disarm bandits should not be the only goal that security agencies aim for, but also provide alternative sources of livelihood for the communities.

"As we prepare for the disarmament exercise, I would like to urge the security organs to critically analyze the situation and, if necessary, ensure that individuals involved in banditry and cattle rustling have an alternative provision and source of livelihood," he wrote on Twitter Sunday night.

He also condoled the families of the police officers who have lost their lives in the North Rift region, expressing optimism that the banditry menace shall soon be nipped in the bud.

"There comes a time in life when we must prioritize human life, and my hope is that peace will be restored as soon as possible," he added.

Natembeya was citing the incidences where police officers have been victims of bandit attacks in the past few days, prompting President William Ruto to give a stern warning to the perpetrators and ordering Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki to relocate to the region until security is restored. 

On Friday, February 10, six people, among them four police officers, lost their lives in a bandit attack on the Kitale - Lodwar highway at Kaakong area of Turkana County.

At the same time, seven officers were hospitalised with gunshot wounds in the gunfight that lasted hours into the night.

The fierce gunfight was recorded by a passenger in a vehicle that was part of a convoy of vehicles escorted by police, and showed bandits numbering about 300 in the bush.

On Thursday, three people were killed and one critically injured in another attack at Kakong area in Turkana South, where bandits who posed as bystanders along the road ambushed a Lodwar-bound Public Service Vehicle, spraying it with bullets.

Cattle rustlers and bandits have wrecked havoc in the North Rift region, leading to the loss of hundreds of lives, displacement of residents, and loss of thousands of livestock.

The most affected counties are Baringo, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet.