Nairobi(Mogadishu24)-Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kithure Kindiki, reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating the Al-Shabaab militant group, both within and outside the country.

Speaking at the operationalization event for Galledyertu Sub-County in Tana River County on Wednesday, the Cabinet Secretary stated that the government is prepared to track down and eliminate the terrorist group in the Northern and Coastal regions.

“To effectively deal with the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, the Government is deploying in Northern Kenya and Upper Coastal regions, including Tana River and Lamu Counties, special forces and elite units to ruthlessly pursue and neutralize armed criminals who are terrorising innocent citizens,” said Kithure Kindiki, Kenya’s Minister for Interior.

He said that the government will fully equip the security forces to protect themselves and ensure the safety of every Kenyan citizen.

“The government will continue to provide our officers with modern weapons and technology to enhance their capacity to deal with criminals.”

“Security officers who lawfully use weapons assigned to them to protect themselves from armed criminals while ensuring the safety and security of residents and their property are assured of government protection,” he added.

The Cabinet Secretary further called on the communities living in the border counties to collaborate with government authorities in the fight against terrorism.

He urged them to safeguard the rights of every citizen, coexist peacefully, and allow relevant government and judicial institutions to intervene whenever there are cross-border disputes.

The operationalization of Galledyertu Sub-County comes a day after the Interior Cabinet Secretary presided over the official operationalization of Kutulo Sub-County in Wajir.

Tarbaj Constituency Member of Parliament, Hussein Abdi Bare, said the operationalization of Kutulo sub-county will enhance the government’s efforts to combat Al-Shabaab militants.

He emphasized the importance of the new sub-county to the economic development, peace, and security of the region.

The new sub-counties are set to provide government services to the people, including employment, recruitment of security forces, and the establishment of government facilities such as police stations, schools, and healthcare services.

The education sector in Northern Kenya has been hugely affected by the surge of terrorist attacks in the region, which has instilled fear in non-local teachers, disrupting the learning process.