Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that the ongoing drought in pastoralist regions is fuelling resource-based conflicts and cattle rustling.
Murkomen explained that the strain was threatening to reverse recent security gains achieved under government stabilisation efforts.
“The prolonged drought situation in pastoralist areas has heightened resource conflicts and cattle rustling. This risks rolling back the gains the region has made following the implementation of the Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) and other security interventions,” Murkomen said.
The CS spoke during a security stabilisation tour of the North Rift and Upper Eastern regions, where he is leading national government efforts to assess emerging threats and reinforce peace measures in drought-affected counties.
“We are touring the region to assess the security situation and lay down strategies to ensure peace and normalcy is sustained even as the government deploys other measures to mitigate the impact of the drought,” he added.
On the third day of the tour, Murkomen convened a high-level meeting in Isiolo bringing together local leaders, National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), and senior security officials.
The meeting resolved to immediately launch a coordinated security operation covering Isiolo County and neighbouring Samburu and Laikipia.
According to the CS, the operation will focus on flushing out illegal firearms and ammunition, dismantling criminal networks, and pursuing individuals abetting insecurity in the region.
“We resolved to immediately launch a security operation in Isiolo County and neighbouring Samburu and Laikipia. The operation targets illegal firearms, ammunition, criminals and those abetting crime,” he said.
Murkomen also announced plans to reorganise security teams on the ground to enhance rapid response to threats, open new security access roads, and collaborate with stakeholders to improve mobile network coverage in insecure areas.
“We shall also reorganise the security teams on the ground to be able to respond better to threats, open up new security roads and work with other stakeholders to improve the network coverage,” he noted.
Leaders present at the meeting included Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, Deputy Governor James Lowasa, Senator Fatuma Dullo, Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya, and Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal, alongside Members of the County Assembly led by Speaker Abdullahi Jaldesa.
Senior security officials in attendance included Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Brigadier Alex Kiraguri, Deputy Inspector General–APS Gilbert Masengeli, GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, Eastern Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich, Regional AP Commander Michael Owino, Deputy Regional Police Commander Nicholas Kiragu, and Isiolo County Commissioner David Kiprop, among others.
The renewed security push comes as the government moves to safeguard stability in northern Kenya amid worsening drought conditions that continue to strain livelihoods and heighten competition over scarce natural resources.