Kindiki Hits Back at Gachagua’s 10-Day Ultimatum Over Banditry in Meru North

Kindiki Hits Back at Gachagua’s 10-Day Ultimatum Over Banditry in Meru North

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has strongly criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following a 10-day ultimatum issued to the government over escalating bandit attacks in Meru North.

The dispute, unfolding publicly through statements and social media posts, highlights growing political tensions over security in the volatile Isiolo–Samburu border region, where residents have faced repeated raids, killings, and livestock theft for years.

Gachagua had warned that if the government failed to deploy adequate security forces within ten days, he would mobilise local residents to defend themselves — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the current administration.

In a strongly worded response, Kindiki accused his predecessor of incitement and questioned his record while in office, arguing that the former Deputy President did not take sufficient action to address the crisis when he had the authority to do so.

The Deputy President defended the government’s ongoing strategy against banditry, pointing to large-scale operations conducted during his tenure as Cabinet Secretary for Interior between 2023 and 2024. He said he personally oversaw security deployments in the affected areas.

“When I assumed office as Interior Minister, I spent months in that region and the neighbouring counties, sleeping in bush camps and coordinating security formations to crush bandit networks,” Kindiki stated.

According to him, those operations significantly reduced attacks in Meru North and surrounding counties at the time, restoring relative calm to communities that had lived under constant threat.

However, he acknowledged that insecurity in the region predates the current administration and has persisted for more than a decade, fueled by cross-border raids, illegal firearms, and competition over pasture and water resources.

“Bandit attacks have resumed over the last two weeks, with devastating loss of life and livestock,” Kindiki said, noting that recent incidents had reversed earlier gains.

The Deputy President assured residents that the government would not tolerate a return to widespread violence and that a renewed crackdown was already underway. His remarks came just a day after he announced a two-week intensified security operation targeting Nyambene and other parts of Meru County.

During a tour of the region, Kindiki said the operation would involve a multi-agency approach, including deployment of military personnel, specialised police units, armoured vehicles, and aerial surveillance assets to track armed groups operating along the porous borders.

Security officials believe the attackers often retreat into neighbouring counties after raids, complicating pursuit efforts and requiring coordinated operations across jurisdictions.

Analysts say the exchange between the two leaders reflects not only concern over insecurity but also a broader political rivalry as the country gradually moves toward the 2027 General Election. Public disagreements on security policy have become increasingly common, with leaders seeking to demonstrate responsiveness to local grievances.

Critics of Gachagua’s ultimatum argue that encouraging civilians to arm themselves could escalate violence and undermine formal security structures. Supporters, however, say residents have grown frustrated by repeated attacks and slow government responses.

Local leaders in Meru North have continued to call for permanent security installations, disarmament programmes, and development initiatives to address underlying causes of conflict.

Kindiki reiterated that the government remains committed to protecting all citizens and urged communities to cooperate with security agencies rather than resort to self-defence measures.

He emphasised that restoring stability in the region is essential not only for safety but also for economic recovery, as persistent insecurity has disrupted farming, trade, and education.

As the situation evolves, residents remain anxious but hopeful that the promised deployments will bring lasting peace. For now, the political exchange underscores the urgency of addressing banditry, a challenge that has long tested Kenya’s security apparatus and continues to shape public discourse in affected regions.

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Kindiki Hits Back at Gachagua’s 10-Day Ultimatum Over Banditry in Meru North