A 17-year-old herder was shot dead during a cattle raid in Marti, Samburu County, on Monday evening. Three other herders were also injured during the attack. According to police, the attackers, suspected of being cattle rustlers, made off with an unknown number of livestock before fleeing the scene. The police rushed the wounded herders to the hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
The raid is one of many such incidents that have been occurring in the region, with local authorities launching a multi-agency operation to track down the assailants. The police operation, which continued into Wednesday, is focused on the suspected cattle rustlers who are believed to have crossed into a nearby area. The authorities are working tirelessly to prevent further violence, as retaliation by local communities remains a concern.
The violence has become a common occurrence, especially among teenage herders in Samburu County, where cattle rustling remains a persistent challenge. In response to this, there have been ongoing campaigns aimed at encouraging young herders to abandon the dangerous practice and instead attend school. Despite efforts to combat these attacks, the problem continues to disrupt both the lives of the herders and the development of the area.
The ongoing security operation in Samburu County is part of a broader initiative known as Operation Maliza Uhalifu, which targets criminal activities across multiple counties in Kenya, including Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit, Meru, and Isiolo. The operation has made progress in curbing crime in the region, although cattle rustling remains a serious problem.
Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, emphasized that the long-term goal is to empower local communities to take a more active role in combatting cattle rustling and to foster legitimate economic activities such as farming. As part of these efforts, the government is planning to distribute subsidized agricultural inputs to local residents to revitalize farming as a viable livelihood.
Additionally, new measures have been introduced to strengthen law enforcement, including the vetting of National Police Reservists (NPRs) and a policy shift that places NPR officers under the direct command of the Officer Commanding Police Stations (OCS) to enhance their operations. These changes aim to dismantle the entire criminal network associated with cattle rustling and reduce its impact on the local economy and communities.
Despite the progress made, the government continues to face challenges in eradicating cattle rustling, but officials remain committed to addressing both the immediate and long-term consequences of these attacks.
