Ruto warns bandits operating in Laikipia of intense crackdown
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, May 8, 2026President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to bandits operating in the Mukogodo Forest, in the Doldol area of Laikipia County, saying the government will intensify security operations to flush out the remaining criminals terrorising residents in the region.
Speaking during a tour in Laikipia County on Friday, May 8, 2026, Ruto said security agencies had already dealt with a majority of the armed criminals but warned that those still hiding in the forest would soon face a major crackdown.
“Wale wakora ambao walikuwa wanatusumbua hapa na mambo ya insecurity nimepambana na kiasi; kuna wachache wamebaki, lakini mimi nawapatia ilani nikiwa hapa Laikipia leo,” Ruto said.
The President specifically singled out bandits believed to be hiding inside Mukogodo Forest, warning them to surrender or leave the area before security forces move in.
“Wale watu wamebaki wakizunguka hapa, hasa Mukogodo Forest hapa. Si mnajua niko na watu ambao wanaweza kufyeka hawa? Hawa watu wako Mukogodo Forest muwaambie watoke kwa forest; otherwise, wakikaa hapo kwa forest watakutana na mimi,” he added.
Ruto reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring security in the region, noting that peace was essential for residents to continue with livestock farming and other economic activities without fear.
He said the government wants residents in the area to enjoy stable incomes from farming and livestock keeping, enabling them to educate their children and improve their livelihoods.
The president noted that insecurity and cattle rustling had for years disrupted economic activities in parts of Laikipia and neighbouring counties, forcing many families to live in fear and suffer losses.
Murkomen’s operation
The issue of banditry in Mukogondo Forest has been perennial, with the government issuing similar warnings to the bandits in the forest, promising to conduct a crackdown to flush them out.
During a visit to Laikipia on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the government is going to launch a security operation in Isiolo County and neighbouring Samburu and Laikipia counties in a bid to curb illegal firearms, ammunition, criminal gangs and all those abetting crime.
Taking it to his social media account on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, after a security meeting in Isiolo County, Murkomen has confirmed that the security agencies shall also reorganise the security teams on the ground to be able to respond better to threats, open up new security roads and work with other stakeholders to improve the network coverage.
“We resolved to immediately launch a security operation in Isiolo County and neighbouring Samburu and Laikipia. The operation targets illegal firearms, ammunition, criminals and those abetting crime. We shall also reorganise the security teams on the ground to be able to respond better to threats, open up new security roads and work with other stakeholders to improve the network coverage,” Murkomen’s statement read in part.
The remarks from the head of state come amid ongoing government time-to-time security operations targeting armed bandits in the North Rift and parts of the larger Laikipia region, where the government has deployed additional security personnel in recent years to contain attacks linked to cattle rustling and organised criminal gangs.