Armed cattle rustlers killed seven people, including police reservists, in coordinated attacks across Meru and Isiolo counties on Friday night. Over 600 livestock were stolen during the raids, which targeted villages with limited security presence. Multi-agency teams have been deployed to pursue the attackers and recover the animals.
The attacks began in the Igembe region of Meru County, where two residents were shot dead as rustlers raided homes and drove away herds of animals. Hours later, five more people died in Ngaremara, Isiolo County, amid a confrontation as locals tried to retrieve stolen livestock.
Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma confirmed that the incidents involved coordinated strikes by assailants who exploited areas with sparse police coverage. Reports also mentioned three additional deaths—two National Police Service reservists from Meru and one from Turkana—in separate Meru raids, though the overall toll stands at seven. More than 600 animals were taken, with 400 from Igembe and 200 from Tigania. An assault in Maili Saba, Buuri constituency, heightened fears among villagers.
Two civilians sustained injuries in the shootouts and received treatment at local facilities. Security officials noted the swift movement of the attackers, occurring despite government assurances of control over banditry.
Multi-agency security teams are now tracking the perpetrators and aiming to recover the livestock, while patrols have been intensified in the affected areas. No full government briefing on the response has been issued yet.
This wave echoes earlier violence; in April, four NPS reservists were ambushed and killed, prompting Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma to request Kenya Defence Forces deployment from President William Ruto. The request was denied, but Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki promised a lasting solution. Unlike the North Rift's Operation Maliza Uhalifu, no major operation has been launched here.