Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen spend Christmas day with Security personnel deployed to restore calm in the banditry prone North Rift.

The interacted and shared a meal with officers stationed at Kainuk in Turkana County Ngaratuko in Baringo County and Tot and Turkwel security camps in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties respectively.

CS Murkomen lauded the officers based at the entire Kerio Valley region for their selfless sacrifice and dedication which has brought peace to the region.

"A majority of our security personnel are spending Christmas and the festive season away from their loved ones to keep our country safe and secure. It's a sacrifice worth our praise," Mr Murkomen said at Ng'aratuko in Baringo North sub-County.

He was accompanied by top security personnel among them Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

He lauded the officers for their courage and patriotism and assured them of full government support as they work to bring peace in the region.

According to Mr Murkomen all schools which had been vandalised as a result of insecurity in the region have already been rebuild with the help of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and are set for reopening ahead of the first term next week.

Kenyans took to social media to concraculate the CS gesture to interact with the officers on Christmas day.

"Very encouraging Waziri. This is being human. God bless your work to bring lasting peace to the region," said one Kibiwott Koross.

Hezron Ndege on his part wrote: "Keep it up sir; it's always good to visit troops in forward areas. This is a morale booster. I know that today our officers felt motivated. We appreciate you so much sir for your time.. karibu tena (welccome again) sir".

Samuel Kirwa expressed optimism that the CS did not leave the officers empty-handed during his tour of the volatile region.

"Hope you remembered and brought something to them. Congratulations on your new appointment," said Mr Kirwa.

Shadrack Kosgei wrote: "Congratulations,on this festive season. Thank you so much for that visit. That one was good one just to give them courage."

Anne Muasa said that the CS move is laudable noting that it will make the officers' families to feel some relief that atleast some merry came to them.

"Happy Holidays to them and to those serving in KDF as well," said Ms Muasa.

Purity Koima on her part wrote: "Merry Christmas to our great brothers and sisters in the security forces. We celebrate you and pray for you always. You sacrifice alot for us".

The government rolled out a massive security operation coordinated by police and assisted by the military in the banditry prone counties in the North Rift early this year following the killing of more than 100 civilians and 24 police officers in six months alone.

The State termed six banditry-prone counties in the region among them Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu as 'disturbed' and 'dangerous'.

The security operation is bearing fruit with calm being restored with no insecurity incident being reported in the region.

President William Ruto who presided over this year's edition of Baringo Cultural Festivals and Kimalel Goat Auction last week commended local leaders for uniting in a bid to foster peaceful co-existence in the region.

"If there is a government which will stamp out this insecurity menace, then it will be this administration," said President Ruto.