Isiolo County Commissioner, Mr. Geoffrey Omoding, has assured local herders whose livestock were stolen in recent attacks, that the government would not relent in pursuing the criminals and recovering all the animals.
Mr Omoding warned that leaders behind the crime would be firmly dealt with and attributed the cattle rustling cases to criminals from Laikipia, Samburu and Turkana Counties, who migrated into Isiolo County, following the ongoing security operations in their areas.
The Administrator added that the criminals are hiding the stolen animals in the valleys and are allegedly out to ambush security personnel involved in the pursuit of the cattle thieves.
Mr. Omoding said that two weeks ago the criminals suspected to be from a neighbouring county murdered four people including a national police reservist and stole over 650 camels.
He revealed that using drones, security personnel have already identified the location of the animals and would soon recover them.
Meanwhile, the Somali community residing in Isiolo has challenged the government to move with speed and take stern action against some security personnel who they accused of laxity.
Led by Ms. Anab Kassim, they claimed to have lost eight people and over 460 camels to bandits since January this year.
Anab claimed that Burat Ward alone has suffered over 40 deaths in the last two years and accused some local leaders of fanning insecurity in the region.
Isiolo North Member of Parliament (MP), Joseph Samal, challenged the government to beef up security in his Constituency which had been the worst affected by cattle rustling.
Samal said the well-armed cattle rustlers have been terrorizing the residents for the last five years.
Samal told KNA on phone that Isiolo, Marsabit and Wajir should be included in the ongoing security operation to prevent criminals from escaping to the region for safety.
The MP however appealed to wananchi to provide information that could lead to the arrest of criminals instead of shifting blame on local security organs.
Source: Kenya News Agency