Operations Base to Combat Banditry to be Established in Laikipia
The national government has announced plans to establish a permanent multi-agency security operations base in Laikipia County to combat the persistent threat of banditry and cattle rustling. The base will serve as a central command post for coordinated security missions in the volatile parts of the county, particularly those bordering other restive regions. It is designed to provide a swift and overwhelming response to cross-border raids.
The decision was made during a high-level security meeting chaired by the Regional Commissioner. The base will host units from the Kenya Police, the Administration Police, and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), ensuring a unified approach to security challenges. The government is also prioritizing the construction of new security roads to improve accessibility for patrol vehicles in the vast and rugged terrain.
Local leaders and residents have welcomed the move, expressing hope that the permanent presence of a robust security force will finally bring an end to the cycles of violence that have disrupted livelihoods for years. The establishment of the base is a critical component of the government’s long-term strategy to pacify the North Rift region and restore peace for development to take root.