Govt Deploys KDF, NIS To Isiolo To Combat Cattle Rustling, Banditry

The government has resolved to deploy multi-agency security teams, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS), in Isiolo and neighbouring counties to curb cattle theft and restore peace in drought-affected areas.

Speaking on Tuesday during a security engagement in Isiolo, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the operation will target armed criminals, illegal firearms and those aiding banditry, while also reorganising police deployments to improve response to insecurity.

“The prolonged drought situation in pastoralist areas has heightened resource conflicts and cattle rustling. This risks rolling back the gains the region has made following the implementation of Operation Maliza Uhalifu and other security interventions,” Murkomen said.

He explained that the government is touring the region to assess the security situation and develop strategies to maintain peace and normalcy, alongside measures to mitigate the impact of the drought.

“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,” he said.

The Interior CS added that the operation will also reorganise security teams on the ground, open new roads and strengthen network coverage to enable faster response to threats.

Murkomen confirmed that KDF and NIS will be deployed alongside the National Police Service and Kenya Wildlife Service to flush out criminals, in line with directives from President William Ruto.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen addressing security officials and local leaders during a meeting in Isiolo on February 3, 2026, ahead of the launch of a multi-agency operation to curb cattle rustling and restore peace in the region. (Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen/X)

“Security agencies will reopen some roads in the three counties that had been closed because of insecurity to allow security operations to be carried out more effectively. Within the next few weeks, we are working with the Ministry of Roads to ensure that some roads in Samburu, Isiolo, and Laikipia are opened to ensure that the places where we will be doing the operations will be accessible,” he said.

He emphasised that the operation will be fully supported by the Commander-in-Chief.

“This operation will be multi-agency because it will involve all the security agencies, and the Commander-in-Chief, who is our president, has given marching orders to restore security in Isiolo, Meru, and parts of Laikipia,” Murkomen said.

Murkomen added that police officers accused of colluding with criminals or failing to act against them will face disciplinary and legal action.

“The NPS leadership will track these officers, take the necessary disciplinary and legal action against them, and dismiss them from the service,” he said.

He also announced that the Inspector General of Police is reorganising deployments to bring in fresh officers.

“There are some officers who have overstayed in these areas, and they have made friends, and they are even fearing some people, so the IG is going to do some reorganisations to bring fresh new police officers,” he said.

“There has been laxity in terms of police coordination in this county, and we can agree. Some of them rarely go to their stations, and some just watch as thieves take cows.”

The announcement follows Murkomen’s earlier statement that KDF personnel would be deployed to secure the construction of the 740km Isiolo-Mandera road. Speaking after a meeting with Defence Cabinet Secretary and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir on January 20, he said the deployment will ensure the timely completion of the project.