Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday, May 2, issued a new order to police officers and Meru residents after a former Ward Representative was killed.
Kindiki who was irked by the death of Former Meru Member of County Assembly (MCA) George Kaliunga declared Meru North a security operation zone.
Kilunga was shot dead on Sunday, April 30, in a fire exchange between police officers and suspected cattle rustlers who had laid an ambush against them.
"The same dedication, vigour, and commitment deployed in the fight against bandits and armed criminals in the six counties of North Rift Valley will be deployed to neutralise perpetrators and masterminds of livestock theft," Kindiki stated.
Igembe North Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) William Letting stated that the politician and the officers were ambushed while pursuing suspected bandits who made away with 71 goats belonging to the former MCA.
Kindiki addressed a security baraza meeting at Ndoleli Chief's Camp in Meru County and directed the immediate establishment of an Anti-Stock theft unit camp at Lororo along the border of Meru and Isiolo counties.
"A special investigative team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been constituted to probe the Sunday morning killing of former MCA of Antubetwe Kiongo Ward Mr. George Kaliunga by armed criminals after a livestock theft raid," Kindiki ordered.
The politician was killed while trailing the thieves by use of their footprints as they drove the stolen livestock towards Kinna on Isiolo's side.
Unfortunately, the team from Meru County fell into the trap of the cattle rustlers before a fierce fire exchange ensued between the two groups.
"The livestock were stolen at Malaene, and the attackers' and herd's footprints were leading to Kinna.
“As they followed the footprints, the criminals ambushed them, and the former MCA was shot. Our officers are on the ground looking for the criminals," Letting explained.
Cattle Rustling Menace
Cattle rustling has been a problem in northern parts of Meru Couty, and it often takes many forms including theft of livestock, primarily cattle, by organised criminal groups.
Livestock are a valuable asset for many rural communities in Meru County, and the loss of a herd normally has a devastating impact on the livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists.
The theft of livestock also frequently leads to violence between rival communities, with armed clashes resulting in injury and loss of life.
In recent years, the Kenyan government has taken steps to address the issue of cattle rustling. One approach has been to increase the number of police patrols and establish anti-stock theft units to track and apprehend rustlers.
Additionally, the government has sought to address the root causes of the problem by investing in infrastructure, education, and economic development in rural areas.
Despite these efforts, cattle rustling continues to be a challenge in the North, East and Coastal parts of Kenya, and there are still incidents of violence and theft reported in the affected regions.
Community engagement and cooperation with law enforcement remain critical in addressing this issue, along with ongoing efforts to address the underlying social, economic, and political factors that contribute to the problem.
