Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo has called for the complete overhaul of the police administration in the county following a dramatic incident on Thursday, February 7, 2025, where President William Ruto was heckled while finishing his tour of the North Eastern region.

Speaking during a senate session on Thursday, February 20, 2025, Dullo called for a raft of measures to be implemented in the county, noting that drug money was being used to finance political unrest in the area.

“The Inspector General of Police should conduct a complete overhaul of Isiolo County police apparatus to restore law and order,” Dullo said.

“Isiolo County is also witnessing an alarming rise in drug trafficking with narcotics being sold openly in broad daylight.”

Security lapse

She blamed the local security personnel in the County for the chaos, noting that despite intelligence reports suggesting that chaos could erupt, the police officers did nothing to arrest the disturbances which saw Ruto heckled.

Dullo equally blamed the County leadership for the chaos that led to the arrest of at least 48 youths who were charged with disorderly conduct before their release.

Dullo indicated that police officers involved in the operations which saw the rounding up of the youth had failed to pick out perpetrators behind the chaos and had picked on poor residents.

“What is particularly disturbing is the blatant selective application of justice following the event. Known individuals with documented ties to the county leadership continue to roam freely despite their clear role in orchestrating the disruptions,” Dullo observed.

Arrested youth

“This targeted harassment of innocent citizens while the real perpetrators enjoy impunity exemplifies the extent to which our justice system has been compromised.”

The senator also stated that the County leadership had denied local leaders the opportunity to air their grievances by keeping them in the dark concerning the programming and schedule during the president’s visit.

During the visit, Ruto sent a clear warning to drug traffickers in the area, pointing that they were behind the chaos which briefly disrupted his public engagement.

“I am aware that drug dealers have sent the youth to come and cause a disturbance at this meeting. Be warned, young people—you cannot threaten the government. A foreigner cannot come and turn Isiolo into a drug den. It won’t happen,” Ruto said.