ISIOLO, Kenya — Tensions in Isiolo continue to rise after local leaders issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Samburu herders leave grazing fields in Chari ward, following a deadly escalation of cattle-rustling attacks that have left nearly 20 people dead since mid-year.
Governor Abdi Guyo and Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya on Tuesday urged the national government to intervene urgently, warning that the influx of armed herders from Samburu East and Laisamis into Merti Sub-County was fuelling violence in an already fragile security environment.
“We have agreed that everyone must return to their side of the border. Our neighbours from Samburu East should go back to their boundary,” Abdi said. “If they need a grazing area, let them sit with Chari elders and agree. But acts of force and acts of violence, we have said, we cannot allow. We cannot accept our people being killed recklessly.”
Bonaya echoed the fears of residents who say the continued presence of heavily armed groups has rendered grazing zones unsafe.
“The challenges are many, and insecurity is the main issue,” she said. “They have realised it is very difficult to keep their animals in this area if there is not enough security to protect their livestock against attacks, like what happened recently.”
Their remarks followed the killing of three National Police Reserve (NPR) officers on Saturday night in Madhi Qarsa Village, where armed bandits believed to have crossed from Samburu County ambushed the officers as they guarded livestock.
Merti Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Michael Kioni said the attack happened moments after the officers had been advised to retreat.
“They had been advised to withdraw, but the bandits followed them and ambushed them when they stopped somewhere to make some tea,” he said, adding that efforts were underway to stabilise the situation.
The violence unfolded barely a day after three people were killed and several others injured in Meru. On Sunday evening, two more people were shot dead and another injured during an attempted livestock raid in Kom area, where over 100 armed men reportedly crossed into Isiolo and nearly drove away hundreds of cattle and goats. NPR officers repulsed the attackers.
The victims were buried on Monday at Biliko trading centre, with Chari MCA Abdullahi Golicha condemning the killings as acts of aggression against young herders simply trying to protect their animals.
Isiolo County Police Commander Paul Wambugu confirmed that more officers had been deployed to bolster patrols and assess security gaps.
The latest attacks add to a long chain of deadly incidents in the region. In mid-October, seven people were killed in separate attacks in the same locality. On October 17, two road construction workers were shot dead near Gotu.
Two days later, clashes between local herders and migrant herders from Samburu East left five people dead and hundreds of cattle stolen.
Local leaders have blamed the Interior Ministry for what they describe as a prolonged failure to contain insecurity, noting that herders have since abandoned grazing zones in Kom, Biliko, Sabarwawa and Quri Bisanowo out of fear.
Borana Council of Elders chairman Mohammed Konso Hallo accused security teams deployed in the area of failing to prevent incursions.
“In mid-October, the security team killed five people in the area while locals were trying to protect their animals from being stolen, yet this time they did not detect the bandits who entered deep inside Isiolo to kill and steal our livestock,” he said.
Leaders said they have repeatedly raised concerns with the Interior Ministry — dating back to Kithure Kindiki’s tenure as Interior CS — but no meaningful action has followed.
Their frustrations have been compounded by a string of high-profile livestock raids. Two weeks ago, 170 cattle destined for sale were stolen just metres from a police barrier along the Isiolo–Moyale highway, leaving two people wounded.
In September, hundreds of cattle were driven away from inside the livestock yard, leaving one person dead before most of the animals were recovered.
With nearly 20 people killed since mid-year in Chari, Gotu, Chaffa Gafarsa and Baranbate along the eastern bank of the Ewaso Nyiro River, community elders now warn that the region is on the brink of another cycle of retaliatory violence unless the security agencies urgently restore order and enforce grazing agreements between neighbouring counties.
