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Isiolo County has recorded significant improvements in its security situation, with key challenges such as banditry, terrorism, and inter-communal conflicts largely contained.
This is according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who commended ongoing government efforts during his visit to the county as part of the countrywide Jukwaa la Usalama tour.
“Isiolo sits at the center of Samburu, Meru, and Laikipia counties, which has made it vulnerable to bandits using it as a passage,” said the CS.
“He noted that security forces have done a commendable job in containing banditry in the region. “A lot of work has been done by our security personnel to curb cases of banditry here,” he added.
While acknowledging the success of ongoing security operations, the CS pointed out that challenges remain due to the vastness of the county and the lack of proper infrastructure.
“Manning some of the routes used by bandits remains a challenge because of the county’s vast size and the absence of proper infrastructure,” he stated, calling on local leaders to collaborate with the Ministry in establishing key infrastructure such as security roads, schools, and hospitals.
The CS also noted that cases of radicalization, recruitment of local youth into terrorist activities, and intercommunal conflicts have significantly reduced—thanks to the tireless efforts of security forces and ongoing peace initiatives in the county.
“A number of characters had taken advantage of Isiolo’s cosmopolitan nature to carry out terrorism-related activities. We’ve since arrested them and they are now facing the law, thanks to our security officers,” he said.
“We now enjoy relative peace in this area because we have managed to suppress intercommunal conflicts, which were largely incited by political players,” he added, urging residents to maintain peace and calling on leaders to refrain from incitement.
He directed the leadership of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, the multi-agency unit that now has a second command base at Kirimon, in neighbouring Laikipia, to step up their efforts in containing banditry.
