IMENTI SOUTH, Kenya — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to Igembe Central in Meru County following a surge in deadly bandit attacks, as political tensions rise over the government’s handling of insecurity in the region.
The move follows recent incidents in Makulubaine and Kaongo, where at least two people were killed, and more than 150 livestock were stolen, underscoring the persistent threat posed by armed bandits in the Nyambene area.
Speaking on Saturday, Kindiki said President William Ruto had sanctioned the deployment to reinforce police operations and restore order. He pledged a swift crackdown, giving a two-week timeline to stabilise the region.
“The president has ordered the KDF soldiers to leave other engagements and camp here in Nyambene. The Cabinet Secretary for Interior will be here, and I will also be camping here to witness the operation,” Kindiki said.
“We cannot live in a country where bandits terrorise civilians and steal livestock. Give us two weeks to restore calm.”
Kindiki added that the operation would mirror past security interventions in the Kerio Valley, where joint deployments of military and police were used to combat banditry during his tenure as Interior Cabinet Secretary.
However, the announcement has triggered political backlash from former Meru senator Mithika Linturi, who accused the government of politicising insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Linturi said he would file a court case and organise five days of nonviolent protests to demand justice, compensation, and enhanced protection for affected residents.
“We cannot allow leaders to focus on 2027 politics while our people are being killed and their livelihoods destroyed,” Linturi said, signalling a hardening stance against the administration’s approach.
Kindiki, in an apparent response, dismissed the criticism and defended Meru’s elected leadership, insisting that accountability should rest squarely on his office.
He accused unnamed political actors of exploiting the crisis for personal gain.
The deployment of KDF in civilian security operations raises important legal and policy considerations.
Under Article 241(3)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, the military may be deployed internally to assist civil authorities in restoring order, but only with proper authorisation and oversight.
Such operations must also comply with human rights standards and are typically seen as a last resort when police capacity is overwhelmed.
The situation in Meru reflects a wider national challenge, with banditry continuing to affect several regions despite repeated security operations.
The government has previously launched multi-agency crackdowns in hotspots such as the North Rift, with mixed results.
Linturi’s planned legal action and protests signal a potential escalation of the dispute, injecting a political dimension into what is fundamentally a security crisis.
He is also positioning himself ahead of the 2027 Meru gubernatorial race, where he is expected to make another bid after losing in 2022.
