500 officers deployed to end clashes in Isiolo, Samburu, Meru

The government has deployed 500 security personnel to disarm warring sides, recover stolen animals and end inter-clan clashes in troubled areas of Isiolo, Samburu and Meru counties.

Isiolo County Executive in charge of Tourism Suleiman Shunu Saturday said eight armed bandits who had been part of a gang operating from Buffalo Springs National Reserve were gunned down by game rangers on Friday afternoon after a fierce exchange of fire.

He said four rifles — two G-3 and two M-16 — were recovered. Thirteen bandits were injured and are admitted at Isiolo Level Four Hospital under police guard.

The county manages the park along with the neighbouring Shaba and Bisanadi in Isiolo South. Since last year, armed herdsmen from Turkana and Samburu have been grazing thousands of livestock in Buffalo Springs.

However, the rangers, backed by conservancy game scouts from Northern Rangeland Trust and Kenya Police Reservists, have undertaken to flush them out.

“The game park is a protected area under the law and anyone found there illegally is a criminal. The bandits had taken over the park and we are working with the county security committee to kick them out,” said Shunu.

The gang was also accused of poaching and feasting on game meat.

Two weeks ago, they killed seven rare Grevy’s zebras in the park. Members of security committees from the three counties have agreed with their counterparts from the regional office in Embu on the need to carry out a mop up of illegal weapons. The proposal was also approved by the Office of the President.

On Friday, about 500 personnel from the General Service Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Administration Police Rapid Deployment Unit and regular police arrived in Isiolo Town en route to Kulamawe and Kinna in Isiolo South, Mutuati in Igembe North and parts of Tigania East.

Saturday, Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya declined to state how many police officers were in the convoy but confirmed their arrival and mission.

“Yes, we have received extra security personnel whose primary mission is to carry out a disarmament exercise in Isiolo North and Samburu East but we will start with centres in Garba Tula (Isiolo South) and Mutuati (Igembe North,” said Mr Natembeya.

The administrator, along with his counterparts Mohammed Birik (Samburu) and Wilfred Nyagwanga (Meru), said the county commissioners had resolved as heads of their respective security committees, to end killings and rustling. 

“We have resolved to take the war to the criminals causing mayhem in the region,” said Natembeya.

He said the operation would be done within the framework of the law where human rights would be observed, and called on locals to surrender illegal weapons and animals stolen from their neighbours.