Kindiki Orders Intensified Crackdown on Banditry in Meru
News Updated: 21 March 2026 21:57 EAT
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a closed door briefing with the Meru County Security and Intelligence Team and formation command
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on March 21, 2026, held a closed-door security briefing with the Meru County Security and Intelligence Team alongside senior formation commanders, focusing on escalating insecurity in the region.
The high-level meeting brought together multi-agency security leadership operating in Meru County, reflecting growing concern within government over persistent banditry, livestock theft, and sporadic violence affecting local communities.
During the briefing, Kindiki issued a firm warning to criminal groups operating in the county, signaling a shift toward a more aggressive and coordinated security response aimed at dismantling bandit networks.
Security agencies were directed to intensify operations targeting known hotspots, with emphasis placed on intelligence-led interventions, rapid response deployment, and disruption of supply and escape routes used by armed groups.
The Deputy President reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on banditry, describing the acts as a threat not only to livelihoods but also to regional stability and national security.
Officials in attendance reviewed recent incidents linked to cattle rustling and armed attacks, which have continued to disrupt economic activity and heighten tension among communities in parts of Meru.
Kindiki emphasized the need for closer coordination between national security organs and local administrative units to ensure timely sharing of intelligence and effective enforcement on the ground.
The meeting also assessed the operational readiness of security personnel, including deployment levels, logistical support, and surveillance capabilities in affected zones.
Authorities indicated that the renewed crackdown will involve sustained operations rather than short-term interventions, aiming to permanently neutralize criminal elements behind the attacks.
Residents have in recent months reported increased cases of livestock theft and insecurity, prompting calls for stronger government action to restore order and protect livelihoods.
The government has been rolling out similar security operations in other bandit-prone regions across northern Kenya, with Meru now becoming a key focus area in the broader strategy.
Kindiki assured that the state will deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safety of citizens, warning that those involved in banditry would face the full force of the law.
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FELIX MAKONA
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