Security forces have successfully recovered 42 head of cattle following a bandit attack at Lolldaiga Conservancy in Laikipia County. The incident unfolded on the night of Monday, June 23, 2025, when armed assailants invaded the conservancy and drove away the livestock under cover of darkness.
A swift response by a multi-agency security team was launched upon receiving the report of the raid. Officers tracked the suspects to the Mukogodo area, where a confrontation ensued. A fierce exchange of gunfire followed, but the bandits were ultimately overpowered and fled into a nearby forest, abandoning the stolen livestock.
All 42 head of cattle were successfully retrieved and safely returned to the conservancy. The security team reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, emphasizing that such operations are crucial in restoring order in regions frequently targeted by cattle raiders.
This latest recovery is part of a growing list of successful operations against livestock theft and banditry in the northern and central parts of Kenya. Earlier in the month, on June 12, security officers recovered 150 goats and sheep that had been stolen from Natiti Village in Samburu County. That operation, too, involved a dramatic confrontation between the police and the bandits, resulting in the safe return of the animals to their rightful owners.
In another incident from January 14, 2025, police in Turkana County conducted an anti-stock theft operation in Namakat Village. During the raid, 100 goats were recovered alongside an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 11 rounds of ammunition. These animals had been stolen from Lochacha Village and were handed over to their owner at a local security base in the presence of local leaders and administrators.
These operations are part of an intensified government campaign under the initiative known as Operation Maliza Uhalifu. This campaign aims to eliminate banditry, cattle rustling, and other forms of armed violence that have long plagued various parts of the country. The initiative targets nine high-risk counties: Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Meru.
Authorities have stressed the importance of continued collaboration between local communities and security agencies to ensure timely reporting of incidents and effective response. With more coordinated patrols, surveillance, and intelligence sharing, security forces are optimistic about curbing the menace of livestock theft and securing pastoralist communities.
While challenges remain, the recent successes signal growing effectiveness in security operations and offer a glimmer of hope for communities living under the constant threat of armed bandits.
