At least one suspected bandit was shot dead and 33 stolen cows recovered in a police operation in Makutani, Baringo County, as security forces intensify their crackdown on banditry in Kenya’s North Rift region.
The incident occurred on Saturday after a group of around 20 armed bandits raided Kiserian village, stealing livestock from local herders. Police launched a swift operation in response to an alarm raised by residents. The ensuing clash led to a shootout between the bandits and the security team.
One member of the National Police Reserve (NPR) was injured in the confrontation, sustaining gunshot wounds to the hand and leg. He was quickly evacuated to Kabarnet Referral Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed the recovery of all the stolen animals, which were safely returned to their rightful owners. He added that several of the attackers fled the scene with gunshot injuries.
“This recovery was made possible through a multi-agency approach,” said Muchiri, praising the cooperation between local security teams and the community.
The operation comes amid heightened government efforts to curb rising cases of banditry and livestock theft in northern Kenya. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently reported a notable decline in such incidents during the first quarter of 2025. Between January and March, 21 people were killed in banditry-related incidents, compared to 58 during the same period in 2024. Stock theft cases also dropped from 263 to 167, while the number of stolen livestock fell from 8,557 to 4,935.
Despite the gains, Murkomen acknowledged that several challenges persist, including the proliferation of illegal arms, political interference, competition over water and pasture, and poor infrastructure that limits access to bandit hideouts.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ending the menace, noting that cattle rustling has evolved into an organized criminal enterprise that fuels poverty, displacement, and communal conflict.
Murkomen emphasized the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, security, and economic alternatives for affected communities, vowing to sustain the momentum in restoring peace and stability to the region.
