In a decisive blow to banditry, Kenyan security forces gunned down four suspected bandits on Tuesday in **Kubisera Village**, Igembe, Meru County. The operation, carried out by a multi-agency team acting on solid intelligence, resulted in the seizure of six **AK‑47 rifles**, 527 rounds of ammunition, and eight mobile phones. Authorities described the camp raided as a makeshift hideout used for coordinating criminal activity across the region. ([The Star][1])
The raid forms part of a broader government push under **Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift**, launched in February 2023, which aims to root out cattle rustling and banditry across nine counties, including Meru. ([The Star][2]) Security officials said the area’s rough terrain and weak mobile coverage have long made it a haven for criminal gangs, but renewed patrols and better coordination between the **National Police Service** and **Kenya Defence Forces** have started to pay off. ([The Star][2])
The operation drew praise from government leaders and local communities, many of whom have endured repeated attacks. Interior Cabinet Secretary **Kipchumba Murkomen** welcomed the outcome, citing it as evidence that the intensified crackdown is bearing fruit. ([The Star][1]) However, he warned that challenges remain, including illegal firearms proliferation and political interference. ([The Star][1]) Locals are hopeful but cautious, insisting that sustained presence of security forces is needed to maintain the momentum and prevent the resurgence of such criminal networks.