Murkomen Vows to Address Livestock Theft Menace in Rift Valley
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed that the government will deploy all necessary resources to decisively address the persistent menace of livestock theft in the Rift Valley region. The CS, speaking in the North Rift, described cattle rustling as a major economic sabotage that has impoverished communities and stifled development for decades. He assured residents that a new, more robust security operation is being finalized to flush out bandits and recover stolen animals.
Murkomen stated that the multi-agency operation would involve the Kenya Police, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to dismantle the entire network, from the foot soldiers to the financiers and beneficiaries of the stolen livestock. He emphasized that the government would also pursue the sponsors of the crime who operate from urban centers, signaling a shift towards targeting the economic incentives behind the raids.
The CS’s declaration has been met with cautious optimism by residents who have endured years of attacks. He called on local leaders to support the security effort by championing peace and encouraging the surrender of illegal firearms. Murkomen’s pledge signals a high-level political commitment to finding a lasting solution to a problem that has defined inter-communal conflict in the region, with the success of the promised operation now being the critical test.