Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered security agencies to intensify operations targeting people holding illegal firearms in Samburu and neighbouring areas.
Murkomen said the government would not relent in the fight against banditry, warning that individuals attacking security officers, civilians and livestock would face decisive action.
The CS spoke on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Nandi County, amid heightened security operations in Samburu and Isiolo following recent bandit attacks.
“We will continue with the operations to ensure that all people who have illegal firearms, and those targeting our officers, civilians, and livestock, are dealt with decisively,” Murkomen said.
He said the operations would be intelligence-led and aimed at identifying individuals and groups involved in banditry and the illegal possession of firearms.
Murkomen also addressed concerns over livestock killed during the ongoing security operation in Samburu.
He directed security agencies to exercise maximum caution to prevent civilian casualties and avoid unnecessary destruction of livestock during the operations.
“I ask our security agencies to exercise maximum caution during operations to minimise collateral damage,” he said.
The remarks came after residents in Samburu raised concerns over the killing of livestock during a recent security operation and demanded accountability from the government.
Murkomen, however, defended the crackdown, saying heightened criticism was a result of the government’s intensified efforts to restore security in the region.
“The noise that is there is because we are tightening the nut. We will continue until we liberate those areas before the next election,” he said.
The latest operation follows renewed attacks in parts of Samburu and Isiolo that have left security officers and civilians dead.
Murkomen said the government would continue pursuing individuals involved in illegal firearms, livestock theft and attacks on security officers.
The Interior CS said security operations in the wider region had already resulted in the recovery of more than 3,000 illegal firearms and 8,000 rounds of ammunition in the Kerio Valley.
The government has in recent months expanded multi-agency operations in banditry-prone areas, targeting illegal firearms and criminal networks blamed for cattle rustling and attacks in northern Kenya.
Murkomen said the operations would continue until affected areas are secured and residents can resume normal social and economic activities.
