Major security operation to flush out bandits in Laikipia, Isiolo

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen addressing Kurum village residents in Laikipia North subcounty on February 3, 2026.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that the government will swiftly commence a security operation to recover illegal firearms and flush out armed bandits in Isiolo, Laikipia and parts of Meru counties who have been terrorising residents in the area and stealing their livestock.

On Tuesday at Kurum chief’s camp in Laikipia North subcounty, he said that the operation would commence within Mukogodo Forest in Laikipia county within 48 hours and would be carried out by the Kenya Police Service with the support of the Kenya Defence Forces.

“These are just a few criminals with guns who are pulling us back as a region, but we shall not relent until they are flushed out and sanity restored in Laikipia,” Murkomen said.

He also directed residents to vacate the area with immediate effect to facilitate security operations.

The CS was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Gilbert Masengeli and other security officers. He noted that the armed bandits gained entry into Laikipia from neighbouring counties, stealing livestock and maiming and killing residents.

“The insecurity witnessed here largely emanates from Samburu East where bandits from Losos and Labendera have invaded Mukogodo forest. Others from Kipsing and Oldonyiro in Isiolo county have also invaded Laikipia,” the CS said.

The move to carry out the operation comes barely two weeks after armed bandits stormed the area and attacked upper Naibung’a National Police Reservists camp, wounding several reservists and making away with over 1,000 goats and sheep and over 200 herds of cattle from the neighbouring villages.

The attack brought tension in the area, with some of the villagers fleeing for fear of more attacks from the bandits who are believed to be hiding inside the dense Mukogodo forest.

Laikipia elder Sumuni Muyele narrated to the CS how the attacks had left many locals in fear, with some opting to seek refuge in far areas away from the village.

“If you look around this area, most of the people here are just women and children. The men have fled with their little remaining livestock for fear of more raids by these criminals. We are now helpless,” Muyele told the gathering.

The CS further said that there were plans to increase the number of NPRs in the area by a further 100 in the next month to boost the current 87 deployed in the area.

Local leaders present, who included Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri and Woman Representative Jane Kagiri, called for a total disarmament of communities holding illegal guns as a way of ending the constant insecurity in the area.

“Our people are always vulnerable to attacks by raiders from neighbouring counties who have guns yet they ‘surrendered firearms to authorities’. It’s high time the government disarmed all communities holding illegal weapons,” Korere said.

Kanja said that the operation would be ruthless and called on those holding illegal firearms to surrender them before the exercise commences.

“Those with illegal firearms have a few hours to surrender them, otherwise when the operation commences, our officers will sweep the area clean,” Kanja warned.

On Wednesday, a meeting was held with county security teams, peace committees and political leaders in Isiolo. It came amid rising violence that left at least three people killed and five others injured in residential estates around Isiolo town over the past eight days.

Murkomen said that the operation would focus on dismantling criminal networks involved in cattle rustling, disrupting supply chains that enable banditry, and taking decisive action against individuals engaged in the illegal sale of ammunition.

He criticized the police for complacency and poor coordination in addressing banditry and tracking down criminals, adding that the government would now move to identify and address gaps that have been observed in police operations.

Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo and Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya also voiced their support for the targeted multi-agency operation to proceed as planned while Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo urged the CS to ignore politicians attempting to politicise security matters.