Dowry of blood: Cultural pressures are fueling Kenya’s banditry crisis
A recent surge in violence has claimed 11 lives and seen 600 cattle stolen in just two months across five counties.
The banditry menace that has left scores dead and thousands of livestock lost is fueled by cultural pressure on young men, who are ready for marriage.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the perennial cattle rustling that has ravaged Meru, Laikipia, Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu counties for years is being executed by youths in need of cows for dowry.
The CS spoke at the Mbataru Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) camp in Tigania East on Monday, March 23, where he assured leaders of the government's commitment to ending banditry.
The CS visit comes after a surge in cattle rustling incidents that have left 11 people dead and more than 600 cattle stolen in the last two months.
Mr Murkomen said a contingent of 400 police officers has been deployed to Meru North along the border with Isiolo County as the government intensifies its crackdown on banditry.
He said the officers will help restore calm ahead of an operation to mop up illegal firearms, adding that another 125 National Police Reservists would be recruited and deployed in the area to enhance security.
"We will go after the bandits, their financiers as well as enablers within the security system. Our plan is to first pacify the region and ensure calm is restored," Mr Murkomen said.
Police officers at the Ltungai Valley in Samburu West. Armed bandits have built an impregnable territory inside the valley where they keep stolen livestock.
The CS said the multi-agency security operation team assembled by the National Police Service would remain in force until all stolen livestock and illegal firearms are recovered.
"In Isiolo, we have recovered 30 illegal firearms since February this year. In the Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet area, more than 1200 guns have been mopped up since the operation began. Our intention is to ensure all weapons are recovered," he said.
The CS was accompanied by the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja.
Mr Murkomen further directed the county security team to vet all police reservists and replace those found unfit within three weeks.
"A police reservist must be a resident and have interest in livestock keeping. Qualified reservists should be ready to go for training in the next three weeks. We must also ensure all reservists are answerable to their respective OCSs," he said.
The CS was also accompanied by Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, MPs Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), John Mutunga (Tigania West), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central) and Julius Taitumu (Igembe North).
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a fundraiser in aid of AIC Kapsowar School of Theology in Elgeyo Marakwet County on February 08, 2026.
Mr Murkomen warned the leaders against politicising security matters after various political leaders called out the CS, accusing him of laxity and neglecting the region.
Democracy for Citizens Party organising secretary Mithika Linturi and Party of National Unity (PNU) leader Peter Munya have called for compensation for residents affected by banditry.
Mr Munya gave the government a one week ultimutum to recover stolen livestock and start the process of compensation.
"People have been misplaced, livestock stolen and people killed. The wanton theft has been increasing since 2023. The government has been making false promises."
"We are giving the government one week to recover all stolen animals, escort illegal herders out of Meru and set up a committee to work on compensation modalities. Failure to do this, we will take drastic action to force the government to do its job," Mr Munya said.
Earlier, Mr Linturi said the DCP party would soon file a petition in court to compel the government to protect lives and property.
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