Police in Isiolo County have recovered about 200 head of cattle that were stolen by rustlers at Mata-lama grazing field on Monday following quick response by security agencies.
Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. Geoffrey Omoding confirmed that security officers and the owners were still pursuing part of the unrecovered cattle that were stolen by bandits believed to have invaded the area from Samburu and Marsabit counties.
Omoding who is also the chairman to the security and intelligence team in the county said that 75 per cent of stolen animals have been recovered and directed chiefs and their assistants to track down the animals and ensure they are returned to their owners.
The administrator revealed that vetting of community conservancy rangers was underway so that the suitable ones could be given government firearms in order to enhance security in the area.
“Arming the rangers would help in supplementing the National Police Service effort to protect lives and property of the area residents,” he said.
The CC added that the National Police Reservist (NPR) would work closely under the supervision of area Officer Commanding Police Station (OCS) adding they would camp at conservancy areas outside the villages so that they could quickly respond to calls of distress.
He added that 130 conservancy rangers were going to be vetted, 65 of whom would be stationed in Merti Sub-County.
Omoding warned that NPRs found to be involving themselves in any form of crime other than protecting lives and property of Isiolo County people would be disarmed and prosecuted.
He added that about 20,000 animals that belong to Isiolo people were still in the hands of criminals in Marsabit, Samburu and Wajir who had been consistently stealing from the area residents.
The administrator assured wananchi of government support and urged them to give information before the incidents take place.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo said he would bring governors from the five neighbouring Counties and together address the insecurity problem that had led to lagging behind of the region in terms of development.
The Governor said that Isiolo County has suffered in the hands of bandits from Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Samburu and Meru where innocent people were killed and livestock taken away without recovery.
He further said that he would follow up with security officers to see justice is done to Isiolo residents and stolen animals which are unaccounted for are brought back.
Source: Kenya News Agency