NAIROBI, Kenya- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has acknowledged that livestock were killed during a recent security operation in Samburu, as the government intensifies its campaign against banditry in the county and neighbouring Isiolo.
Murkomen said security agencies had been instructed to exercise maximum caution to avoid civilian losses and other collateral damage during the operations.
“Regrettably, during a recent operation in Samburu, livestock were killed,” Murkomen said.
“We have directed our security agencies to exercise maximum caution to minimise collateral damage during operations.”
The Cabinet secretary did not disclose the number of animals killed, the circumstances surrounding their deaths or whether the affected owners would receive compensation.
His statement followed criticism from Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, who described the killing of the livestock as economic sabotage against the Maa community.
Ole Kina demanded an investigation, compensation and a government-supported programme to restock the affected families’ herds.
Despite the controversy, Murkomen said the operations in Samburu and Isiolo would continue until illegal firearms were recovered, stolen livestock returned and criminal networks dismantled.
“We will not relent until we completely liberate these areas from banditry, just as we did other parts of Kerio Valley and Northern Kenya,” he said.
Murkomen said security agencies had recovered more than 3,000 illegal firearms and 8,000 rounds of ammunition during operations in banditry-affected regions. The figures could not immediately be independently verified.
The renewed campaign follows the killing of Chief Inspector Aden Somo and another police officer during a bandit ambush in Gotu, Isiolo County, on September 16.
Somo, an Anti-Stock Theft Unit officer, had served in Kenya’s multinational security mission in Haiti before returning home. He was among five people killed when gunmen attacked a team pursuing suspected livestock thieves.
The government operation covers Isiolo, Samburu, Marsabit, Meru, Baringo, Turkana and West Pokot counties.
Samburu has experienced repeated bandit attacks in recent months. Four people were killed in July, shortly after Murkomen visited the county and ordered armed groups to surrender.
Murkomen also said the government was expanding operations against drug and substance abuse by targeting trafficking and supply networks.
The Cabinet secretary spoke at Nandi Hills Stadium, where he presided over a fundraiser for the Nandi East and Tinderet branch of the Kenya National Union of Teachers.
The branch is raising money to build an office block and purchase a staff bus.
Murkomen said the government remained committed to education reforms and improving teachers’ welfare.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly, Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur and KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu attended the event alongside other leaders.
