Nairobi: Security agencies and local administrators have been urged to step up surveillance and intelligence gathering to curb cattle rustling and other related crimes along the Isiolo, Meru, and Samburu county boundaries. Livestock keepers and residents in the region have called for closer collaboration between security officers, administrators, and neighboring communities to prevent livestock theft and avert attacks linked to cattle rustling.
According to Kenya News Agency, Isiolo County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga stated that the government was on high alert and was working with community elders and peace committees to address persistent cattle theft and other security threats. He emphasized that cattle rustling remained a security concern and noted that timely intelligence would enable security agencies to respond effectively to incidents.
The County Commissioner highlighted the importance of community engagement in addressing livestock theft and preventing conflicts between neighboring communities. Meanwhile, residents of Kilimani in Isiolo Town have appealed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for intervention following the killing of two people in the Shab area along the Isiolo-Meru boundary this week.
The residents reported that the two victims, an elderly man and a young herder, were killed during a raid allegedly carried out by armed individuals suspected to have come from the Meru side. Dekha Kasim, a resident speaking at the Livestock Marketing Division (LMD) area, urged the government to enhance security and protect livestock keepers from armed raids.
Concerns were also raised by other residents over the disarming of National Police Reservists (NPRs), which they claimed left communities vulnerable to attacks. They appealed to the government to reconsider the decision and possibly rearm vetted community policing reservists to safeguard lives and property.
Another resident, Hussein Samatar, pointed out the perceived unfair distribution of firearms to community policing reservists and called for greater consideration of communities affected by cattle raids. He expressed that residents had experienced frequent attacks over recent weeks and that some victims were still waiting for justice.
The residents also urged elders and peace-building committees from the Meru and Isiolo communities to take swift action to prevent retaliatory attacks and restore calm along the volatile boundary.
