NPS Launches Major Anti-Poaching Operation in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties
The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a large-scale security operation dubbed Ondoa Jangili aimed at combating poaching and curbing the illegal proliferation of firearms in Marsabit and Isiolo counties. The initiative, announced on Monday night through an official communication on X, seeks to restore safety in the region following a spike in wildlife killings, livestock theft, and attacks linked to armed criminal groups.
According to NPS, the multi-agency operation brings together specialised police units, local security teams, and intelligence officers tasked with flushing out heavily armed poachers believed to be operating across remote border zones. The crackdown follows weeks of heightened concern from conservationists and community leaders who warned that wildlife habitats in Isiolo and Marsabit were under severe threat due to organized poaching rings. Security officials say the operation will also target illegal arms routes used by cross-border criminal networks that have contributed to longstanding insecurity in the north.
The announcement was met with widespread public support online, with many residents expressing hope that the operation would reduce persistent banditry and protect wildlife resources that are key to northern Kenya’s tourism economy. Others urged the government to accompany the operation with long-term measures such as increased recruitment of community rangers, improved surveillance in reserves, and deeper collaboration with local elders. Authorities have assured the public that the security teams will work closely with communities to ensure the safety of civilians during the operation.
With Ondoa Jangili now underway, all eyes are on how effectively the multi-agency team can disrupt the networks behind poaching and gun trafficking in the two counties. Security analysts say the success of the mission will depend on sustained government presence, intelligence-driven patrols, and investment in community-based conservation models. The NPS is expected to issue regular updates as the operation progresses over the coming weeks.