The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a major multi-agency security operation targeting banditry and cattle rustling across parts of Meru County, Isiolo County, Samburu County and Laikipia County following a surge in violence and livestock theft.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the NPS said the operation is aimed at restoring order in several affected areas of Meru, including Buuri East, Tigania East and West, as well as Igembe North, Igembe Central and Mutuati. These regions have recently witnessed increased attacks by armed bandits, leading to loss of livestock, injuries, and fatalities among residents.
The crackdown will also extend to key insecurity hotspots in neighbouring counties. These include Mukogondo Forest in Laikipia, Lantana and Sereolipi in Samburu East, and Kipsing and Ngaremara in Isiolo. Authorities say these areas have become hideouts and operational zones for criminal groups involved in cattle rustling and banditry.
According to the NPS, the operation involves a significant deployment of security personnel drawn from multiple agencies, supported by advanced air surveillance and rapid response units. The coordinated effort is designed to enhance mobility, improve intelligence gathering, and enable swift action against perpetrators.
The multi-agency team has been tasked with recovering stolen livestock, seizing illegal firearms and ammunition, and apprehending individuals linked to the attacks. This includes not only those directly involved in raids but also suspected financiers and facilitators of banditry networks, who authorities say play a critical role in sustaining the criminal activities.
The police service described the recent wave of violence as unacceptable, reiterating its commitment to ending the cycle of insecurity that has plagued parts of northern and eastern Kenya for years. Officials emphasised that restoring peace and stability in these regions remains a top government priority.
Residents in the affected areas have been urged to cooperate fully with security agencies by sharing information and reporting any suspicious activity. Authorities believe community support will be crucial in dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the success of the operation.
The latest crackdown comes amid renewed government efforts to address long-standing insecurity challenges in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions, where cattle rustling has evolved into a more organised and deadly enterprise. Despite previous interventions, the vice has persisted, often fueled by illegal arms proliferation, competition over resources, and retaliatory attacks between communities.
Security agencies have expressed optimism that the intensified, coordinated approach will deliver lasting results and restore normalcy in the affected counties.
