The government has declared parts of Laikipia County, Meru County, and Isiolo County as security-disturbed and dangerous zones, paving the way for a large-scale operation targeting rising criminal activity in the regions.
The directive made today by Cabinet Secretary Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, is aimed at restoring order following a surge in banditry and violent incidents that have disrupted livelihoods and heightened insecurity among residents.
Authorities say the designation allows security agencies to deploy enhanced measures and coordinate more effectively in flushing out armed groups responsible for the unrest.
In his official statement, the CS revealed that the ongoing operation includes a comprehensive mop-up of illegal firearms believed to be fueling the attacks. Officials noted that the exercise builds on earlier interventions, including the deployment of 400 additional police officers to reinforce teams already on the ground. The increased presence is expected to boost surveillance, response times, and intelligence gathering in the affected areas.
“We have declared parts of Laikipia, Meru, and Isiolo counties as security-disturbed and dangerous to facilitate a major security operation to weed out perpetrators of recent incidents of criminal activities in the areas. This operation, which also involves a mop-up of illegal firearms, follows our earlier deployment of 400 additional police officers to reinforce the officers on the ground, among other measures. We shall intensify our efforts until banditry is completely eradicated in these areas and criminal networks dismantled”.
Security agencies have emphasized that the crackdown will be sustained and intensified until all criminal networks are dismantled. The focus will not only be on neutralizing immediate threats but also on addressing the broader structures that enable banditry, including arms trafficking and organized crime links.
Residents have been urged to cooperate with law enforcement officers by sharing information that could aid the operation. At the same time, the government has assured the public that measures are being put in place to safeguard civilians and minimize disruption to daily life.
As the operation unfolds, authorities remain firm that restoring peace and stability in these regions is a top priority, with a long-term commitment to ensuring such security threats are permanently eliminated.
We have declared parts of Laikipia, Meru, and Isiolo counties as security-disturbed and dangerous to facilitate a major security operation to weed out perpetrators of recent incidents of criminal activities in the areas.
This operation, which also involves a mop-up of illegal… pic.twitter.com/gyWcJrHiD6
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) March 26, 2026