Kindiki Declares All-Out War on Nyambene Bandits, Sets Two-Week Ultimatum

Kindiki Declares All-Out War on Nyambene Bandits, Sets Two-Week Ultimatum

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a stern ultimatum to armed bandits operating in the Nyambene region of Meru County, pledging a sweeping security crackdown aimed at restoring order within two weeks amid escalating attacks that have left residents living in fear.

Speaking during an official tour of the county, Kindiki announced that the government would deploy all available security assets — including personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS) — alongside specialised equipment such as armoured vehicles and aircraft to confront criminal gangs operating in the area.

“The government of Kenya will use all instruments of war — our military, police officers, tanks, and aircraft — to confront the bandits in Nyambene. The President has directed that both the police and the Kenya Defence Forces suspend other duties and focus on fighting criminal gangs in this region,” Kindiki declared.

The Deputy President emphasized that the operation would take precedence over other security assignments, describing banditry as a grave national threat that undermines livelihoods, security, and development in affected communities.

Nyambene and surrounding areas have experienced repeated raids in recent months, with attackers targeting villages for livestock theft and violent assaults. The situation worsened following a deadly incident on Thursday, March 19, in the areas of Makulubaine and Kaongo, where at least two people were killed and approximately 150 head of livestock stolen, according to local reports.

Kindiki also announced that Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, would soon visit the region to assess security needs and coordinate the deployment of additional personnel and resources.

In a rare move, the Deputy President publicly assumed personal responsibility for the success or failure of the operation, urging residents to hold him accountable rather than local leaders.

“The cabinet secretary will be coming here soon. But not just the CS. This week, I will personally come to assess how the operation is progressing. We cannot live in a country where bandits terrorise citizens and steal livestock. Give me two weeks,” he said.

Security agencies have already begun implementing a multi-agency strategy aimed at dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen animals, and seizing illegal weapons believed to be fueling the attacks.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the National Police Service appealed to residents of Meru County and neighboring regions to provide intelligence that could assist ongoing operations. Authorities also urged communities in Isiolo County, Samburu County, and Laikipia County to cooperate with security agencies, noting that bandit groups often operate across county borders.

Police identified several hotspots within Meru County, including Buuri East, Tigania East and West, Igembe North and Central, and Mutuati, as areas most severely affected by recent attacks. Additional zones of concern include Mukogondo Forest in Laikipia, Lantana and Sereolipi in Samburu East, and Kipsing and Ngaremara in Isiolo.

Officials say the terrain — characterized by dense forests, rugged hills, and porous boundaries — has complicated previous attempts to eliminate banditry, allowing armed groups to evade capture and regroup after raids.

Residents in the affected areas have repeatedly called for decisive government intervention, citing loss of livelihoods due to livestock theft and persistent insecurity that has disrupted schooling, farming, and local commerce.

The latest announcement signals one of the most forceful government responses to banditry in the region in recent years. Analysts say the success of the operation will depend on sustained coordination among security agencies, community cooperation, and long-term strategies to address the root causes of the violence.

For now, many locals remain cautiously hopeful that the promised crackdown will finally bring lasting peace to a region long plagued by armed raids and insecurity.

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Kindiki Declares All-Out War on Nyambene Bandits, Sets Two-Week Ultimatum