Murkomen admits security forces lack resources to sustain operations in Samburu, Meru, Isiolo

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 7— The government has admitted that security personnel and equipment deployed to tackle banditry in Samburu, Meru and Isiolo are inadequate for sustained operations, as 14 people were killed and 17 injured between June and September. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security that difficult terrain, poor roads and communication networks, long distances between security installations and limited resources were constraining security operations in the affected counties. The admission comes despite an intensified government crackdown that has recovered 2,395 illegally held firearms and 3,221 stolen livestock in the affected areas.

Between June and September, 4,306 livestock were reported stolen, with security agencies recovering 3,221, according to the Interior Ministry. Murkomen said banditry and cattle rustling had evolved from traditional livestock raids into organized criminal activity driven by illegal firearms, commercial markets for stolen animals, cross-county networks and retaliatory attacks. He said climate-induced migration and competition over pasture and water were also fueling conflicts in the arid and semi-arid areas.

The government has deployed specialized units including the General Service Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit and Special Operations Group, alongside National Police Reservists. It has also established security camps and rapid-response capabilities in identified hotspots, including Lii and Magado camps in Meru. The security challenges were underscored by a September 16 attack in Samburu in which five people were killed after security officers and National Police Reservists responding to a reported killing were ambushed by suspected bandits.

The dead included two police officers, one National Police Reservist and two civilians. Among those killed was Chief Inspector Adan Somo, who had previously completed a high-risk mission in Haiti. The attackers also stole government weapons and ammunition, including a Galil ACE rifle, G3 rifle, magazines, a 60mm high-explosive bomb and 300 rounds of ammunition.

Murkomen said efforts to trace and recover the government equipment were ongoing. NAIROBI, Kenya, October 7, 2026 — Fourteen people were killed and 17 injured between June and September as banditry, cattle rustling and inter-community conflicts continued to plague parts of Samburu, Meru and Isiolo, despite intensified government security operations. “Overall, the security situation in the affected areas has improved compared with previous periods,” Murkomen said.

The government has stepped up operations against banditry and illegal firearms, deploying specialised security units, establishing additional security camps and recruiting and training National Police Reservists. Between June and September, security agencies recovered 3,221 livestock out of 4,306 reported stolen. The government also recovered 2,395 illegal firearms between September 2025 and September 2026 as part of efforts to curb armed attacks and cattle rustling.