Police urge residents of 4 counties to cooperate ahead of major security operation
By Aloys Michael, March 21, 2026The National Police Service (NPS) has urged residents in Meru, Isiolo, Samburu, and Laikipia counties to provide information on banditry and other criminal activities.
This appeal comes in response to a recent rise in banditry incidents, which authorities say have significantly affected communities in Meru, particularly in Buuri East, Tigania East and West, as well as Igembe North, Central, and Mutuati.
“Cattle have been stolen, several lives have been lost, and injuries have been reported. This is totally unacceptable and must be eradicated,” NPS said.
NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said an elaborate multi-agency security operation had been assembled with the mandate of recovering stolen cattle and mopping up all illegal firearms and ammunition.
In a press statement on Saturday, March 21, 2026, Nyaga called on anyone with information that may assist the operation to report to the nearest police station or law enforcement officer.
He revealed that information can be shared through toll-free numbers 999,911,112 or anonymously through the Fichua kwa DCI hotline on 0800722203 or through WhatsApp at 0709570000.
Besides the aforementioned areas in Meru, other targeted areas are Mukogondo Forest in Laikipia, Lantana and Sereolipi in Samburu East, Kipsing and Ngaremara in Isiolo.
“Residents in the targeted areas are urged to offer their maximum co-operation to security personnel, share intelligence, and ensure that banditry and related forms of criminality are brought to an end,” Nyaga noted.
According to the police boss, a large number of security personnel have been mobilised for the operation, with support from robust aerial surveillance and rapid-response units to ensure efficiency and safety.
He described the action as a coordinated and elaborate deployment, highlighting their commitment to eliminating criminal networks that perpetuate insecurity in the region.
Nyaga emphasised that residents’ collaboration is essential for breaking up criminal networks and safeguarding vulnerable communities from future attacks.
“The National Police Service is committed to eradicating all forms of criminality while remaining steadfast in ensuring public safety and security,” he said.
Tackling the insecurity menace
This comes shortly after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the government has intensified its crackdown on a resurgence of cattle rustling and attacks in the northern grazing zones of Meru County, where armed gangs have killed herders, maimed civilians, and stolen livestock this week.
In a statement posted on X dated March 21, 2026, said security forces have been heavily mobilised to reverse the spike in violence.
The Government has mobilised heavily to roll back the spike in bandit attacks in the Northern part of Meru County where livestock robbers have caused deaths and terrorized the people in several attacks this week,” he declared.
Kindiki emphasised that the return of these gangs threatens to undermine progress made in combating banditry. By 2022, such violence had escalated, risking civil disorder across nine counties in the Northern Rift Valley and Upper Eastern regions.
Through sustained operations, the government successfully suppressed the crime and dismantled networks in the most affected areas.
“The crime has been suppressed and bandits crushed in nearly all the previously affected areas,” Kindiki noted.