•This Comes as Government Moves to Dismantle Banditry Networks and Enforce Police Reforms
Isiolo, Kenya| Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday chaired a multi-county security meeting in Isiolo Town, marking a renewed and aggressive government effort to stamp out banditry, cattle rustling, and organized criminal networks in Northern Kenya and parts of the Rift Valley.
The high-level forum brought together security teams from Isiolo, Meru, Laikipia, Samburu, and Marsabit counties, alongside senior government officials and security chiefs.
Among the top brass in attendance were Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, Eastern Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan, as well as Regional Police Commanders Charles Naibei and Jasper Ombati.
Also present were regional and county security committees, sub-county security teams, Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs), Officers Commanding Stations (OCSs), and local chiefs from sub-counties still facing security challenges.
Their objective: to review progress of ongoing operations, share intelligence, and recalibrate strategies for achieving lasting peace.
Murkomen acknowledged that government interventions have led to a noticeable reduction in cases of banditry and cattle rustling across affected regions.
However, he cautioned that despite the gains, several areas remain vulnerable and will require sustained and intensified operations.
He stressed the need for an integrated approach, emphasizing that success would depend on cross-county coordination, community engagement, and focused resource deployment.
He called for optimization of security assets on the ground and better alignment of inter-agency operations to target the root causes of the violence.
During his visit, Murkomen also toured Isiolo Police Station where he engaged directly with officers and commended them for their bravery and persistence in combating crime.
He reiterated that the government was fully behind the security personnel and would continue to support their mission to maintain law and order.
In a firm and emotionally charged statement, Murkomen condemned recent incidents where police officers were reportedly mistreated while discharging their duties.
The Interior CS expressed outrage at a growing trend where some politicians allegedly confront and provoke officers in front of cameras to portray themselves as strongmen to their supporters.
Without naming names initially, Murkomen issued a stern warning that such behavior would no longer be tolerated under his watch.
He later directly addressed the matter, cautioning Kuresoi MP Joseph Ng’eno, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, and other unnamed political leaders against intimidating or interfering with police operations.
Murkomen declared that so long as he remained the Interior CS, no officer would be mistreated while performing their duties, and any such actions would face firm consequences.
The Isiolo summit also introduced a raft of policy shifts aimed at strengthening law enforcement and rebuilding public confidence.
Key among these was a directive that the recruitment of National Police Reservists (NPRs) will now be handled exclusively by local chiefs and security committees, eliminating political involvement in the process. The move seeks to promote transparency, meritocracy, and community trust in local policing.
Murkomen also announced the abolition of a long-standing practice where police officers with disciplinary issues were deployed to restive northern regions as a form of punishment.
He revealed that no officer will be allowed to serve in one location for more than three years, a policy aimed at curbing collusion, improving accountability, and preventing institutional fatigue.
A major component of the discussions focused on the criminal economy underpinning regional insecurity—especially the black market for stolen livestock.
Murkomen directed security agencies across the involved counties to carry out thorough investigations to identify buyers, brokers, and transporters who facilitate cattle theft.
He emphasized that disrupting the illicit livestock trade would be instrumental in breaking the cycle of violence.
The CS also tasked investigative units with targeting the illegal firearms trade along the northern corridor and Rift Valley border regions. He noted that the easy availability of small arms has continued to fuel deadly conflicts and embolden criminal gangs.
Calling on communities to denounce cattle theft and inter-ethnic conflict, Murkomen urged residents to instead focus on peace-building and economic development.
He highlighted that meaningful development would only be realized in an environment of stability and security, where communities could safely engage in business, education, and agriculture.
The Isiolo meeting underscored the government’s shift toward a long-term, proactive strategy for ending insecurity in northern Kenya.
Through strategic coordination, enhanced accountability, and deliberate community partnerships, the Ministry of Interior aims to restore public order, rebuild trust in law enforcement, and lay the foundation for sustainable development across the region.
Share This Post