Cattle rustlers, bandits in Marsabit put on notice as 400 police reservists graduate

Cattle rustlers and bandits in Marsabit County have been put on notice following the graduation of 400 new National Police Reservists (NPR) in Laisamis, Marsabit County.

This latest initiative is part of a renewed effort to tackle the long-standing menace of cattle rustling and banditry that has plagued Northern Kenya for years.

The graduates, who underwent a month-long training, focused on weapon handling, conflict resolution and general policing duties, will now bolster the security forces in their ongoing battle against bandits.

The training also included important aspects of peacebuilding and community engagement to address the root causes of conflict in the region.

Hindrance to development

Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who presided over the graduation ceremony on Thursday, said that the new recruits would play a key role in the government's mission to end cattle rustling and restore peace to Marsabit and surrounding counties.

"The cattle rustling menace has been a hindrance to development in this region and other parts of the country, and the reservists now come in handy to tame the menace," Lagat said.

Lagat further stated that these new reservists will join the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, which targets the criminal networks behind cattle rustling, armed banditry, and other forms of violence.

"We will continue to invest in this region because it has the potential of development for the good of the entire country," he added.

The operation, which has already yielded positive results in areas like Kerio Valley, will continue its efforts to dismantle criminal networks across Marsabit, Meru, Isiolo, Samburu, Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Laikipia, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.

Lagat assured that multi-agency teams would remain on the ground to ensure that bandits and rustlers do not find refuge in these regions.

The graduation of 400 new reservists is part of a wider government strategy to address insecurity in Northern Kenya. In 2023, a total of 1,702 reservists were recruited and trained across various counties.

An additional 400 reservists in Elgeyo Marakwet and Isiolo were re-armed to complement the operations.

The efforts have begun to bear fruit, with a reported 62 per cent reduction in cattle rustling incidents since the launch of Operation Maliza Uhalifu in February 2023.

According to the Ministry of Interior, stolen livestock have decreased from 63,054 to 23,668, while over 10,000 heads of cattle have been recovered.

Additionally, 172 illegal firearms have been seized, and over 250 suspects, including political leaders, have been arrested.

During his visit to the region on January 5, 2024, President William Ruto, commended the government's efforts to curb banditry, stating that the security situation in Kerio Valley had improved dramatically.

"Government efforts to ward off threats against the country have borne fruit and will continue until every part is secure," Ruto said, adding that reopening of schools and healthcare facilities would also be prioritised to ensure normalcy in affected areas.

To further enhance governance and improve security responses, the government has also created 126 new administrative units across Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, and other counties, aimed at strengthening local administration and improving resource allocation.