Herders and community leaders in Meru County have intensified calls for a decisive security operation to recover thousands of cattle allegedly stolen by armed bandits over the past two years. According to the Nyambene Livestock Farmers Cooperative Union, more than 6,000 head of cattle have been taken in this period, while 45 people, including police reservists, have lost their lives and 16 more injured, according to herder reports. In the most recent attack alone—on December 22—three people were killed and two others wounded.
At the heart of the herders’ frustration is a broken promise by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who met with local leaders in Meru last year and vowed to mount a major security crackdown—an operation that has yet to materialize. Stephen Thinkei, chair of the Nyambene Union, said herders provided detailed intelligence to security agencies, but actionable follow‑up was lacking. He recalled leading a recovery team of 50 police officers into Samburu to trace stolen stock, only to be reportedly warned off when they attempted to confront suspected bandits. Thinkei urged that a security mission similar to those carried out in the Rift Valley be launched in Northern Meru to dismantle the heavily armed gangs.
Local politicians have thrown their weight behind the demand. Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu has called for a January meeting with herders and elders to chart a way forward, warning that the government’s failure to protect communities could lead to deeper mistrust: If the government cared, they could have launched that operation, he said. Former MP Maore Maoka went further, urging President William Ruto to intervene directly, compensate bereaved families, and give the green light to a major security push in the region. Meanwhile, Edward Maranya, a herder, described daily life as lived in constant fear—attacks, ambushes and the loss of livelihoods have become all too familiar along the Meru‑Isiolo border.
On the other hand, Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma defended recent efforts, saying that security has been bolstered and that authorities have recovered up to 98% of recently stolen livestock. However, for the herding communities, these numbers ring hollow when banditry continues unchecked and the trauma of loss remains. The impasse has sparked renewed debate over whether local leaders should push for alternative security models, such as bolstering police reserves or establishing community ranger units, especially after previous pledges failed to deliver.
As tensions escalate, the herders’ demand for a robust, nationwide-style security operation could now reach the highest levels of government. With mounting pressure from MPs and former lawmakers, there are growing signs that Meru could soon see a more aggressive strategy—possibly including reinstated reservists, enhanced cross-border patrols, and tighter coordination between counties struck by cattle rustling. Whether such measures will translate into real action, however, depends on political will and sustained accountability from national security agencies.