Isiolo – In a concerted effort to address the persistent issue of cattle rustling, leaders from Meru, Marsabit, Samburu, and Isiolo counties have criticized the response of security forces to distress calls from communities affected by banditry. At a peace meeting held at Nasuulu Conservancy in Burat Ward, Isiolo County, local officials and community representatives voiced their concerns over the impact of these delays on regional security and community welfare.
According to Kenya News Agency, who chaired the meeting, the lag in police intervention often allows criminals to escape with stolen livestock, exacerbating community tensions and the cycle of violence. He emphasized the necessity for the Sub-County Security Committee to respond more promptly to incidents of cattle rustling to prevent retaliatory actions by victimized communities.
Musango also highlighted the role of cultural practices in perpetuating violence, advising the community’s council of elders to reconsider and possibly abandon outdated traditions that contribute to lawlessness. Furthermore, he issued directives to local chiefs and their assistants to oversee the operations of National Police Reservists (NPRs), ensuring that they are properly managed and reside within the communities they are meant to protect, rather than operating from towns.
The meeting also touched on improvements in local security infrastructure, with Musango noting that the government had recently equipped the area with two special modern vehicles designed to operate effectively in harsh terrains, enhancing the capacity to combat criminal activities.