Murkomen Defends Samburu Security Operation as Residents Demand Answers After 717 Livestock Die

Residents of Samburu East are demanding answers and compensation after 717 livestock reportedly died during a multi-agency security operation launched to tackle banditry and recover stolen animals along the Samburu-Isiolo border.

The deaths have sparked anger among pastoralist communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on cattle, goats and donkeys. Residents say the loss of their animals has affected their ability to feed their families and pay school fees.

Images from the affected areas show cattle, goats and donkeys lying dead across the landscape, with some families forced to slaughter the carcasses in an attempt to salvage whatever they can.

The security operation was launched following a deadly escalation of banditry along the Samburu-Isiolo border. The situation intensified after an Anti-Stock Theft Unit team pursuing stolen livestock was attacked in Gotu, Isiolo.

The attack left two officers, a National Police Reservist and two civilians dead, while another National Police Reservist was later shot while escorting employees of a telecommunications company.

The government subsequently deployed a multi-agency security operation aimed at recovering stolen livestock, recovering illegal firearms and pursuing individuals believed to be involved in attacks against security personnel and civilians.

However, residents now accuse security agencies of causing further suffering by destroying or killing livestock belonging to local families.

Some residents have called for the resignation of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, accusing the country’s security leadership of failing to protect communities while implementing the crackdown.

Residents argue that livestock is the foundation of the local economy, providing families with food and income while helping them pay school fees and meet other household expenses.

One resident explained that children depend on income from livestock to remain in school, saying some families are now unable to pay school fees after losing their animals.

The residents are demanding an explanation for why their livestock was affected during an operation that was intended to target bandits and recover stolen animals.

One local resident questioned why a security operation aimed at dealing with criminal activity would result in the destruction of the livelihoods of innocent families.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, however, has defended the continued security operation and maintained that the government will not retreat from efforts to address banditry and illegal firearms.

Murkomen said security agencies would continue pursuing people who possess illegal guns or are involved in attacks against officers, civilians and livestock.

“I want to say that we will continue with the operation to ensure that people who have illegal guns, who have attacked our officers, attacked the civilians, attacked people’s livestock will be dealt with with finality,” Murkomen said.

According to Murkomen, security agencies have recovered more than 3,000 illegal firearms and 8,000 rounds of ammunition during the wider operation.

The government has also maintained that illegal firearms remain a security challenge in parts of Turkana and Samburu, making continued security operations necessary.

For residents of Samburu East, however, the immediate concern is the economic impact of losing hundreds of animals.

Pastoralist families depend on livestock for food, school fees, healthcare, household income and other basic needs. The loss of hundreds of animals therefore represents a significant financial blow to affected families.

Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit visited some of the affected areas and inspected the dead livestock. He called for the security operation to be stopped and for investigations to establish what happened.

The governor also called for equal treatment of communities affected by banditry and security operations, arguing that efforts to restore security should not leave residents without their livelihoods.

The dispute has now placed pressure on the national government to explain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the livestock and establish whether security agencies followed the appropriate procedures during the operation.

Residents are seeking an explanation of what happened, compensation for their losses and accountability for those responsible.

The government, meanwhile, maintains that the security operation will continue as authorities pursue illegal firearms and individuals accused of attacking civilians, security officers and livestock.

The situation has created a dispute between the government’s stated objective of addressing banditry and the concerns of residents who say the security measures have resulted in devastating losses.

As calls for investigations and compensation grow, affected families in Samburu East are waiting for answers over the deaths of the 717 livestock and whether the government will compensate them for their losses.