Deputy President, Prof Kithure Kindiki has sharply responded to remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the rising banditry in Meru North, escalating a public war of words on insecurity in the region.

In a strongly worded statement, Kindiki dismissed Gachagua’s reported 10 day ultimatum to address the attack, terming it as ” empty and childish.”

He also criticized calls allegedly made by Gachagua urging residents to arm themselves against cattle rustlers, warning that such statements risk inciting violence rather than resolving the crisis.

The deputy President noted that banditry in Meru North, in Meru County, has persisted for more than a decade and worsened under previous leadership.

He defended the government’s track records, stating that during his tenure as an Interior Cabinet Secretary, he spent months in the region coordinating security operations, including working from bush camps to oversee efforts that dismantled criminal networks between 2023-2024.

Kindiki accused Gachagua of failing to support security interventions when he held office, arguing that that he did not show solidarity with affected communities at the time.

He further challenged the former Deputy President to point to any development projects he championed, saying leadership should be judged by tangible impact than political rhetoric.

”You failed when you you had the power and influence to assist the people, not just on security matters, but are you aware that you can not pinpoint any development project you fought for its implementation anywhere in the Republic of Kenya while you were in office?” Kindiki noted.

While acknowledging a resurgence of bandit attacks in recent weeks that has led to loss of lives and livestock, Kindiki assured Kenyans that the government is firmly in control of the situation.

He emphasized that security agencies are actively pursuing the perpetrators and will ”crush” the criminal networks, as was done in previous operation.