Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has stated that underdevelopment and marginalization are fuelling persistent banditry in Samburu, Isiolo, and Turkana counties. He made these remarks while appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Internal Security and National Administration on October 7, 2026. Murkomen identified the availability of illegal firearms, competition for pasture, and banditry as factors contributing to insecurity in the region.
Murkomen emphasized that security operations alone will not end the problem, and the government needs to invest in infrastructure, such as roads and schools, in affected areas to address the issue in the long term. He noted that development is crucial in preventing banditry, citing the absence of banditry in more developed towns like Eldoret and Kitale. According to Murkomen, underdevelopment sustains banditry, and police will continue to deal with bandits repeatedly unless the underlying issues are addressed.
The Interior CS disclosed that security agencies had recovered 3,221 of the 4,306 livestock reported stolen between June and September 2026. He also mentioned that on September 16, security officers were ambushed by bandits while on patrol, resulting in five fatalities and 237 cattle killed, contrary to the 700 claimed by local leaders. Murkomen urged leaders to avoid making inflammatory statements that could escalate tensions in the area.
The meeting with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Internal Security and National Administration turned tense as MPs raised concerns over the killing of livestock and civilians during security operations in Samburu. Samburu North MP Eli Letipila challenged the government's handling of the operation, stating that livestock are crucial to the community's way of life and that aimlessly spraying bullets at animals was wrong. Letipila also reported a fresh attack underway in his village in Marti during the meeting.
Buuri MP Rindikiri Mugambi cautioned against focusing solely on the loss of livestock, emphasizing that human lives should be the priority. He noted that people were killed, and human blood is more sacred than livestock. Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda urged the committee to handle the matter carefully to prevent the meeting from escalating.
Murkomen defended the government's position on compensation, stating that there is currently no legal framework allowing the state to compensate people whose livestock were lost during the security operation. He also questioned the authenticity of some images circulating on social media showing large numbers of dead cattle. Murkomen added that any police officer found to have unlawfully shot livestock would face disciplinary action.
The Interior CS called for the restoration of funding for security roads, stating that the Interior Ministry had not received dedicated funds for the roads for about three years. He warned political leaders against turning insecurity into a political issue, particularly as the country heads into an election year. The government has previously identified security roads, improved communication networks, and the deployment of National Police Reservists as measures to address insecurity in Samburu and neighbouring counties.
Key points
- Underdevelopment and marginalization are fuelling banditry in Samburu, Isiolo, and Turkana counties.
- The government needs to invest in infrastructure, such as roads and schools, to address the issue in the long term.
- Security operations alone will not end the problem of banditry.
