- The County government of Isiolo has rolled out an operation that is aimed at weeding out cattle-rustling criminals as a way of bringing back peace in the war-torn county.
- Recently, the exercise bore fruits when officers managed to unearth two suspects, alongside 78 camels stolen from different parts of the county.
- Residents are greatly impressed by the government’s move, to end animal rustling in the area and pleaded with the national government to allocate them funds that would help bolster the mission.
An ongoing security exercise dubbed ‘Rudisha mifugo, weka usalama’, flagged to weed out criminals, stolen valuables and weapons, in the war-torn Isiolo county, has resulted in the retrieval of 78 camels and two banditry suspects.
Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. Geoffrey Omoding confirmed that of the 78 camels, 16 had already been identified by owners and they were hopeful that the rest animals would soon be claimed by their actual owners.
The region according to the county commissioner has become a rustling hotspot, which they look up to curtail with the flagship of the security exercise. He added that the mission would be called to an end once all the lost goods and animals were found and the involved culprits arrested.
Omoding who was recently sent to the war-torn county, pleaded with locals from within the county and even from other neighboring counties, to join hands by reporting suspects to help officers achieve their goal. Notably he warned that the government would mete out punishment to anybody caught having engaged in the heinous activity. Omoding added that the rest of the unclaimed camels were locked up at the Livestock Marketing Division (LMD) disease free zone and would be released to owners once security officers wrapped up their perusal.
He said security officers are still probing an earlier case where criminals ambushed a National Police Reservists convoy as they relocated some of the recovered animals to LMD area in Burat Ward.
Omoding said that the exercises ultimate aim was to weed out criminals from neighboring Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana and Marsabit Counties believed to have set camp in Isiolo after police run them off in their home counties.
The commissioner winding up his report sent a warning to criminals who were laying traps for security officers by gathering stolen animals in valleys so they can attack officers who showed up to rescue them, saying that the government would ruthlessly teach them lesson.
The community led by the Muslim group, lauded the move by the government to avert crime in the area and pleaded with the national government to provide funds that would offer a hand in curtailing the deeply rooted vice.
