Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a firm two-week timeline for the government's crackdown on banditry in Nyambene, Meru County. He vowed to deploy all security resources to restore order in the area.
During a tour of Meru County, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki warned that the government would deploy all available security resources, including the military, police, armoured vehicles and aircraft, to restore order. He emphasised that the operation would take priority over other assignments, with KDF and police officers suspending other duties to focus on eliminating criminal gangs in the region. “The government of Kenya will use all instruments of war. our military, police officers, tanks, and aircraft to confront the bandits in Nyambene. The President has directed that both the police and the Kenya Defence Forces suspend other duties and focus on fighting criminal gangs in this region,” he stated. Kindiki said Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen would soon visit the area to assess the situation and deploy necessary personnel. He took personal responsibility, promising to visit Nyambene himself this week to monitor progress. “The cabinet secretary will be coming here soon. But not just the CS. This week, I will personally come to assess how the operation is progressing. We cannot live in a country where bandits terrorise citizens and steal livestock. Give me two weeks,” Kindiki added. Recent attacks occurred in Makulubaine and Kaongo, where two people died and 150 livestock were stolen on Thursday, March 19. The National Police Service then urged residents in Meru, Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia counties to share intelligence. Police announced a multi-agency operation to recover stolen cattle and seize illegal firearms. Affected areas include Buuri East, Tigania East and West, Igembe North, Central and Mutuati in Meru County, as well as Mukogondo Forest in Laikipia, Lantana and Sereolipi in Samburu East, Kipsing and Ngaremara in Isiolo.
