Police recover 251 stolen livestock after fierce gun battle in Marsabit
By Mustafa Juma, June 2, 2026Security officers in Marsabit County have 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 follows an intensive security pursuit that led officers to Lokilipi and Sarima areas, where they confronted armed suspects believed to have been behind the theft.
The National Police Service (NPS), in a statement shared via X on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, said the multi-agency team launched a rapid response operation after receiving reports of stolen livestock. Officers trailed the animals across the rugged terrain, eventually closing in on the suspected bandits.
Gunfire exchange
The pursuit escalated into a confrontation when the security team encountered the armed suspects, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the two sides.
Faced with the superior response from the security team, the bandits were forced to abandon the stolen livestock and flee the scene.
“A multi-agency security team has successfully recovered 251 sheep and goats that had been stolen by suspected bandits in Loiyangalani Sub-County,” the NPS stated.
“As the pursuit intensified, the officers tracked the stolen animals to the Lokilipi and Sarima areas, where they encountered armed bandits, leading to a confrontation marked by an exchange of gunfire. This forced the suspects to abandon the livestock and flee.”
Recovery of livestock
Following the operation, the officers successfully recovered all 251 sheep and goats, which were later secured under police custody.
Authorities said the animals will undergo identification and verification procedures before being handed over to their rightful owners.
“The 251 animals have been placed under police custody pending identification, verification, and eventual handover to their rightful owners,” the statement reads.
Crackdown on banditry
The recovery has been described as another significant milestone in the sustained crackdown on banditry and stock theft in arid and semi-arid regions, where livestock remains a key economic asset for many households.
Security agencies have intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations in affected areas, targeting armed groups responsible for recurring incidents of theft and violence.
A week ago, multi-agency security teams successfully recovered 24 stolen livestock following a swift and coordinated operation linked to a reported banditry incident under Operation Maliza Uhalifu.
The NPS, in a statement shared via X on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, said the recovery was made on May 25, 2026, after a distress report indicated that livestock had been stolen from the Ntangilia area.
The report triggered an immediate response from joint security teams drawn from multiple agencies.
According to NPS, the officers quickly moved in to track the persons of interest, establishing strategic ambush points along known escape routes frequently used by criminals in the region.
The operation led to a confrontation in the Chumvi area, where the persons of interest were intercepted.