Police officers in Elgeyo Marakwet County will now be using modern technology in their routine surveillance.
On Friday, December 30, 2022, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich delivered the first drone that the security team will be using going forward.
Speaking at the event, Rotich said the drone will play a critical role in enhancing the capacity of the security team to monitor bandit activities.
He noted that he delivered the gadget which was part of his campaign pledge to intensify security in Kerio Valley.
“Today I delivered a modern drone to security officers in Marakwet East which will be used for security surveillance in the area,” the governor posted on his Facebook page.
The infrared-capable drone can travel to a radius of 10 kilometres and can also operate at night and in cloudy conditions.
“This will help our security officers monitor the movements of bandits in the area. Initially, our security officers have been blindly tracking the bandits,” Rotich noted.
He further said officers who will be manning the gadget will be trained.
Kerio Valley has for years been facing insecurity challenges due to regular bandit attacks. The attacks had led to the region lagging behind development-wise.
High-value crops
During the delivery of the drone, the Elgeyo Marakwet Governor also urged residents to plan to cultivate their farms in readiness for the next rainy season.
He singled out high-value crops such as cotton and sorghum as the ones they need to plant in plenty since the county already has a market for the produce.
On Thursday, the governor launched the Pyrethrum program for Marakwet East and Keiyo North Sub Counties at Embobut Embolot Wards office and Mindililwo Primary school grounds respectively.
He said farmers are embracing the cash crop which he noted as poised to be a game changer that would catapult the county’s economic status.
Under the program, Pyrethrum buyer, Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings is providing farmers with seeds, fertilizers and technical support.
[…] Fight against Banditry Goes Digital as Marakwet East Security Officers Get Drone […]