A fragile peace is taking hold across the bullet-scarred valleys of the North Rift. For the first time in years, children are returning to school, markets are bustling, and families who fled the terror of banditry are cautiously returning home, tangible signs that a massive state security operation is calming a region long defined by violence.

The multi-agency operation, 'Maliza Uhalifu' (End Crime), launched in early 2023, represents the government's most determined push yet to crush the bandit economy. It combines the force of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) with the National Police Service (NPS) in a layered strategy that has, according to officials, significantly reduced attacks and fostered a return to normalcy in counties like Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Samburu.

A Change in Tactics

Unlike past efforts often criticized for indiscriminate force, 'Operation Maliza Uhalifu' has focused on intelligence-led targeting of specific criminals and their hideouts. Security forces have utilized aerial surveillance and even bombed known bandit hideouts in areas like the Tandare Valley. This shift, officials note, has been crucial in winning the trust of local communities, who were previously caught between bandits and brutal security responses.

The strategy extends beyond force. The government is actively engaging communities and their leaders to encourage the voluntary surrender of illegal firearms and to gather intelligence. This has yielded tangible results:

• Dozens of illegal firearms, including AK-47 rifles, have been voluntarily surrendered across the region.
• Several wanted bandits have turned themselves in to authorities.
• The KDF has been involved in community projects, such as drilling boreholes and rebuilding schools, to address the root causes of conflict.

The Human Cost of Conflict

For decades, the North Rift has been a theatre of untold suffering. The conflict, fueled by competition for scarce water and pasture, the proliferation of illegal arms, and political incitement, has left a devastating legacy. Between 2012 and 2022, the National Police Service estimates that 82 security personnel were killed by bandits. In the six months leading up to February 2023 alone, reports indicated that over 100 civilians and 16 police officers had been murdered.

The violence crippled daily life, forcing the closure of dozens of schools and displacing thousands of families, leaving them impoverished and hopeless. "We ended up with a situation where schools were closed, people were displaced, and we lost lives beyond the herds of cattle, goats, and sheep," Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo stated in September 2025.

An Uneasy Peace

Despite the celebrated successes, analysts and some local leaders warn that the peace is precarious. A parliamentary committee report in August 2024 noted that the operation had not achieved significant success in some areas, with sporadic attacks continuing. The vast, rugged terrain remains a major advantage for the bandits, who know the landscape intimately.

Long-term success hinges on addressing the complex socio-economic drivers of the conflict. These include extreme poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods, and the commercialization of what was once cultural cattle rustling. The government has allocated significant funds, with the national security budget rising to KSh 464.9 billion (approx. $3.6 billion USD) for 2025-2026, and plans are underway to provide alternative livelihoods for reformed bandits. "The suppression of bandit terror will give way to the opening up of the region through social amenities, economic infrastructure and durable peace," former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki emphasized.

As the military boots remain on the ground, the ultimate test for 'Operation Maliza Uhalifu' will be its ability to transform a temporary, enforced calm into a lasting peace that puts food on the table and secures a future for the next generation in the North Rift.