Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has declared that the government will launch a massive crackdown against bandits causing insecurity in Samburu County.
The CS, accompanied by the Inspector-General of the National Police Service (NPS), Douglas Kanja, led a high-level security and service delivery assessment tour in Samburu West, Samburu County, on 9 July 2026.
“The delegation held extensive consultative engagements with local residents and leaders at Lolmolok and Malaso to review ongoing security operations and to chart a collaborative course towards eradicating banditry in the region,” the National Police Service statement read.
Addressing residents at the forums, Murkomen reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to stabilising the region.
He also assured the public that the containment of banditry remains a foremost priority. The CS cited successful security interventions in Elgeyo Marakwet, where multi-agency efforts led to the recovery of numerous illegal firearms from criminal elements.
He announced the government’s intention to initiate voluntary disarmament operations across Samburu County and appealed to the public to support the process in order to restore peace to their communities.
Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary issued a stern warning to individuals engaged in the illegal trade of stolen livestock, revealing that intelligence-led operations would aggressively target and dismantle these criminal commercial networks.
Kanja’s promise
On his part, the Inspector-General of Police, Kanja, assured residents that the National Police Service and other security agencies are fully equipped and determined to restore peace and security. He emphasised that forthcoming operations would be intelligence-led, thereby safeguarding law-abiding citizens.
To enhance rapid response and tactical presence, the IG stated that the police would collaborate closely with the local community to identify optimal sites for establishing strategic police camps. This joint mapping exercise is intended to ensure that all remote and vulnerable areas receive the critical security coverage they require.
Attendees
Governor of Samburu County, Jonathan Lelelit; Member of Parliament for Samburu West, Naisula Lesuuda; and her Samburu North counterpart, Eli Letipila, were in attendance.
Former Samburu County governor Moses Lenolkulal; Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli; the Commandant of the General Service Unit, AIG Johana Tonui; the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, Abdi Hassan; and Rift Valley Regional Police Commander, Samuel Ndanyi, were also in attendance.
