Chiefs in five counties to be armed in fight against banditry
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the move is part of a broader government strategy to curb persistent livestock theft and improve security in volatile regions.
Chiefs in five banditry-prone counties, including Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit, Laikipia and Samburu, will be registered and armed with firearms to defend themselves against livestock rustlers.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the move is part of a broader government strategy to curb persistent livestock theft and improve security in volatile regions.
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Speaking on Wednesday in Isiolo after a meeting with security teams from the affected counties, Murkomen directed that the chiefs operating in dangerous areas be trained in firearm use and issued with guns alongside National Police Reservists (NPR) for their protection.
“We’ve come to understand the problem and find a lasting solution,” the CS said.
The directive follows growing concerns by chiefs who claimed they could identify cattle rustlers in their communities but feared retaliation due to a lack of security.
“Chiefs at risk should submit their names. We’ll train them on firearm use and issue them with guns and NPR officers so they can defend themselves,” Murkomen said.
He insisted that the process of selecting armed NPR officers would be carried out jointly by the government and the public, not politicians, to ensure accountability.
“The chiefs must name the cattle rustlers, and they must be arrested. We will arm them for protection,” he said.
Wider scope
Murkomen also announced a crackdown on the masterminds behind livestock theft, vowing to target not only the bandits but also buyers and gun suppliers, including rogue security officers.
“We’ll pursue not only the bandits, but also those buying the livestock and selling guns, whether it’s police or anyone else,” he warned.
The CS further condemned the growing trend of political leaders interfering with police operations. He cited recent altercations involving Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo and the Isiolo OCS, as well as Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno, who was caught on video confronting officers following the killing of six people at Ang'ata Barikoi in Transmara.
“You have my unwavering support as you do your job. Police officers are trained on how to use the gun, and very few can be accused of misusing their weapons. We have seen officers restraining themselves under immense provocation,” Murkomen said.
“I urge leaders to respect our police officers. Anarchy will become a signature of a nation that does not respect its police officers.”
Murkomen warned against armed protests, urging Kenyans to exercise restraint and avoid provoking the police.
“As long as I am Interior CS, I will defend our officers and demand they be respected,” he said.
Accompanied by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Langat, the CS assured officers that the government would protect those who use their weapons in self-defence.
“We will not be unfair to police officers who use their firearms in self-defence when in danger. But we will not defend rogue officers,” he said.
He urged citizens with grievances against the police to follow legal channels, while calling for stronger coordination among state officials to recover stolen animals and apprehend perpetrators.
“Chiefs have also been struggling with whether to serve the government or their communities. We must all work as a team, irrespective of our boundaries, to end banditry,” he said.
Murkomen added that all police reservists must remain loyal to their police commanders, not political or clan interests.
“We also have the problem of NPR officers paying allegiance to political leaders and their clan. The recruitment process should not be done by a politician,” he said.
The CS directed security teams to identify those profiting from stolen livestock and track down criminal networks supplying firearms and ammunition to bandits.
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