Police overpower armed bandits, recover 35 heads of stolen livestock in Meru
By Mustafa Juma, June 7, 2026A multi-agency security team has successfully recovered 35 heads of cattle following a dramatic operation in Meru County, where officers engaged armed bandits in a firefight after tracking the stolen livestock for several hours.
The National Police Service (NPS), in a statement shared via X on Sunday, June 6, 2026, said the incident began after a report of livestock theft was made at Mutuati Police Station, prompting an immediate response from security agencies.
Police say the officers launched a coordinated tracking operation that led them through the Moliti area in Kinna, following clear footprints and other traces left by the suspects.
The pursuit continued for nearly nine hours, during which the officers crossed the LAPSSET corridor and advanced into the Bogi area, where the suspected bandits had temporarily camped with the stolen animals.
“A coordinated multi-agency security operation on 6 June 2026 successfully recovered 35 head of cattle following a nine-hour tracking mission and a subsequent shootout with armed bandits in the Bogi area. The joint operation was launched after a stock theft incident was reported at Mutuati Police Station,” the NPS stated.
“The responding multi-agency security team picked up footprints in the Moliti area of Kinna and tracked clear visual signs for nearly nine hours. They crossed the LAPSSET road and followed the suspects into the Bogi area, where the bandits had set up a temporary camp to rest.”
Upon locating the persons of interest, NPS says the security team came under fire from the armed bandits, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire. The officers responded decisively, overpowering the attackers and forcing them to flee into nearby terrain, abandoning the stolen livestock.
All 35 recovered cattle were later secured and safely escorted back before being formally handed over to their rightful owners.
“Upon spotting the advancing team, the armed bandits opened fire, triggering a fierce shootout. The security team successfully engaged and overpowered the criminals, forcing them to flee the scene and abandon the stolen animals. All 35 recovered animals were safely escorted and officially handed over to their rightful owners,” the NPS statement read in part.
Intelligence-led pursuit operation ongoing
Authorities confirmed that no livestock were lost during the recovery operation, though the fleeing bandits remain at large. An intelligence-led pursuit operation is ongoing to track down and apprehend the bandits responsible.
Security agencies have praised the officers involved for their swift response, coordination, and determination, noting that the operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat livestock theft and restore security in affected regions.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and continue sharing timely intelligence with security teams to support ongoing operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in the area.
Bungoma cattle recovery
The incident comes a day after police in Bungoma County recovered 12 stolen cattle and arrested two persons of interest following a coordinated multi-agency operation targeting livestock theft in the region.
The operation, led by the National Police Service (NPS) in collaboration with National Government Administration officers, was launched after livestock owners reported the disappearance of 14 head of cattle while grazing in the Kaperua Forest area.
According to the NPS, 12 of the missing cattle were successfully recovered during the operation, while two suspects believed to be linked to the theft were arrested and are currently in police custody pending further investigations.
The incidents come days after security officers in Marsabit County recovered 251 sheep and goats following a fierce gun battle with suspected bandits in Loiyangalani Sub-county, in a coordinated multi-agency operation aimed at curbing rampant livestock theft in the region.
The recovery followed an intensive security pursuit that led officers to Lokilipi and Sarima areas, where they confronted armed suspects believed to have been behind the theft.
Two weeks ago, multi-agency security teams also successfully recovered 24 stolen livestock following a swift and coordinated operation linked to a reported banditry incident under Operation Maliza Uhalifu.