Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has officially declared Meru North—a region straddling Meru and Isiolo counties—a security operation area, in response to a surge in cattle rustling and the recent killing of former MCA George Kaliunga. The announcement came during a public baraza in Antubetwe Kiongo market, where the CS pledged a robust crackdown on banditry, deploying well-armed security forces and establishing a special anti-stock-theft unit.
Kindiki remarked that the measures being introduced mirror the intensity of earlier counter‑bandit operations in the North Rift, emphasising the government’s commitment to neutralising criminal networks that have terrorized herders.
He directed the creation of an Anti-Stock Theft Unit base in Mutuati sub‑county, and announced that 200 National Police Reservists (NPRs) would be deployed along the Meru‑Isiolo border to reinforce security.
Moreover, a special investigative team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been tasked with probing whether Kaliunga’s killing was part of a broader conspiracy, as Kindiki raised doubts about the circumstances surrounding the politician’s death.
The declaration has elicited a mix of relief and cautious optimism from local leaders and security experts. Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi praised the move, noting that residents have long demanded decisive action to stop livestock raids.
NTV Kenya
Meanwhile, community elders have welcomed the plan to restrict cross-border livestock movements—a common flashpoint fueling conflict with neighboring Isiolo communities. Security analysts say the deployment of specialized forces could significantly degrade the bandits’ capacity, but warn that success will depend on sustained resource commitment.
Looking ahead, the security operation is being closely linked to Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a broader government strategy to dismantle criminal networks in hotspot counties.
Kindiki has vowed that the heightened presence of troops and police will not only curb rustling but also pave the way for long-term development, as peace returns to once volatile grazing lands.
The Star