Some of the goats and sheep recovered during the operation/NPSA multi-agency security operation has recovered 500 sheep and goats stolen by suspected bandits in Isiolo County following a pursuit that saw security officers intercept the attackers and recover all the animals.
The livestock were stolen after suspected bandits attacked herders who were grazing their animals at Mlima Arimoroti in the Alamachi area of Isiolo North Sub-County.
Police said the attackers drove away the animals, prompting an immediate response from a multi-agency security team deployed in the area.
“Upon receiving the report, the security team mobilised immediately, pursued the attackers, and intercepted them at Mlima Lotik, resulting in the successful recovery of all the livestock,” the National Police Service said in a statement.
The recovery comes amid intensified security operations in parts of northern Kenya where livestock theft and banditry have remained a major threat to communities.
According to police, all the 500 animals were positively identified and returned to their rightful owners after the operation.
The National Police Service said it has since intensified patrols in the area and established snap ambushes to deter further criminal activity.
“All animals have since been positively identified and returned to their rightful owners,” police said.
“The National Police Service has intensified local patrols and established snap ambushes in the area to deter further banditry and ensure the safety of the community.”
The successful operation highlights the continued use of multi-agency teams in tackling insecurity in areas prone to bandit attacks and livestock theft.
Isiolo County, which borders several counties that have historically experienced banditry, remains one of the areas where security agencies have maintained heightened surveillance.
Livestock theft has often triggered retaliatory attacks between communities, making swift recovery operations critical in preventing further escalation of violence.
Security agencies have increasingly adopted intelligence-led operations, involving police and other security personnel, to track stolen animals and pursue criminal gangs before they disappear into remote areas.
Police urged residents to continue working closely with security officers by reporting suspicious activities that could help prevent attacks.
“We encourage members of the public to continue reporting suspicious or criminal activity at the nearest police station,” the statement said.
Members of the public can also report incidents through the emergency numbers 999 and 911.
The police said community cooperation remains essential in the fight against banditry, particularly in remote areas where criminals often take advantage of difficult terrain to evade security operations.
The latest recovery offers relief to the affected herders, whose livelihoods depend heavily on livestock, while reinforcing the government’s ongoing campaign to stamp out banditry and restore security in northern Kenya.
