Elite police squad at Pipeline in Nairobi on July 13, 2024.
The government has deployed its most highly trained police officers to tackle the resurgence of banditry in the Baragoi area of Samburu County.
President William Ruto, speaking in Samburu on Monday, said the Special Operations Group (SOG) would spearhead efforts to restore security and recover illegal firearms.
“We already know who is in possession of firearms. If you are here and know someone with a gun, we will come for it. So, surrender it early,” the President warned. He added that illegal weapons are the root cause of violence in Baragoi.
Morijo shopping center on the Maralal-Baragoi road in Samburu County.
The SOG, an elite unit of the Administration Police (AP), is a counterpart to the Recce sub-unit of the General Service Unit (GSU). While Recce primarily handles VIP protection, the SOG focuses on serious security threats, particularly in volatile regions and border towns. Its officers are trained in hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and border patrol operations.
Currently, the unit is led by Deputy Company Commander Samuel Nduati. The last commander, Gilbert Masengeli, is now Deputy Inspector-General overseeing the Administration Police.
A new commander has yet to be appointed.
Elite police officers patrol Olmoran in Laikipia County on September 11,2021.
Two years ago, the SOG was deployed to northern Samburu, working alongside the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) and Rapid Deployment Unit to quell persistent bandit attacks. Using advanced technology such as drones and night-vision cameras, the unit successfully located and neutralised armed gangs hiding in caves and rugged terrain.
Relative peace
“The technology allowed us to catch bandits off guard, which led many to surrender their rifles voluntarily,” a security official said. Once located, the forces deployed Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to confront criminals in areas previously deemed inaccessible. The APCs’ all-terrain capabilities and 360-degree automated firing design provided a decisive advantage.
The success of these operations brought relative peace to Baragoi and the wider Samburu North region for nearly two years. President Ruto affirmed that his administration is determined to eradicate cattle rustling and related crimes in Samburu and other parts of the Rift Valley. He also reiterated plans to station Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in high-risk North Rift areas permanently.
Apart from security operations, the President said the SOG would participate in community development projects aimed at opening up the region.
Security officers in Samburu County are pursuing bandits who shot dead a police officer before aiding the escape of eight remandees en route to Baragoi.
The SOG has a proven track record, having been deployed in Baragoi, Mandera, and Lamu, where it neutralised banditry networks, countered terrorism, and recovered hundreds of illegal firearms.
Its current operation in Baringo County has already yielded results: 355 firearms have been voluntarily surrendered, with an additional 1,307 recovered by security forces.
Despite these efforts, insecurity remains a pressing concern in Samburu.
On Thursday, just three days after President Ruto’s visit and pledge to crush criminal networks, heavily armed bandits ambushed a GSU patrol along the treacherous Barsaloi-Suyian-Baragoi road.
Elite police squad officers at the scene where five suspected criminals were killed in Mombasa on March 27, 2021.
According to reports, the officers were patrolling a dry riverbed near Lodokume shortly after midday when gunmen opened fire. Bandits had positioned themselves in thickets and on elevated terrain, using acacia shrubs for cover. The patrol was caught off guard, forcing officers to take cover while returning fire. Three officers sustained serious gunshot injuries to the chest and abdomen. Reinforcements from Barsaloi and Kampi Nyoka GSU camps arrived too late to prevent the attackers from escaping with two rifles taken from the wounded officers.
“Our officers were ambushed during a routine patrol. Three were seriously injured and taken to Barsaloi Health Centre, then later transferred to Samburu County Referral Hospital,” Samburu County Police Commander Dickens Njogu told the Nation.
The attack has reignited fears among residents, who have experienced renewed bandit activity in recent weeks. Security forces have launched a manhunt along the Barsaloi-Baragoi road, a known hotspot for ambushes and retaliatory raids.
“The injured officers are in critical condition. We are arranging for airlifting them to Nairobi for specialised treatment,” Mr Njogu added.
Deployment of the SOG is strictly controlled. The Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Administration Police must notify the National Intelligence Service (NIS) director-general before the unit can be mobilised.
Elite unit
This ensures the SOG is reserved for high-risk operations rather than routine assignments. The NIS is also responsible for selecting and training personnel for the elite unit.
President Ruto’s renewed commitment to deploying the SOG comes amid rising banditry in Samburu North, highlighting the persistent challenge of tackling organised crime in remote regions. By combining advanced technology, specialised training, and community engagement, the government aims to restore lasting peace in the area.
Residents and local leaders have welcomed the redeployment, citing the success of the unit’s previous missions. They hope that the SOG’s return will curb the surge in cattle rustling, ambushes, and violent crime that has destabilised the region.
As the government steps up its security presence, the broader objective remains clear: dismantle criminal networks, recover illegal arms, and establish conditions for long-term development and safety in Samburu County and other affected regions.
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