Rustling raises security concern in Isiolo

Security agencies and local administrators have been urged to step up surveillance and intelligence gathering to curb cattle rustling and other related crimes along the Isiolo, Meru and Samburu County boundaries.             Livestock keepers and residents in the region have called for closer collaboration between security officers, administrators and neighbouring communities to prevent livestock theft and avert attacks linked to cattle rustling.             Isiolo County Commissioner, Mwachaunga Chaunga, said the government was on high alert and was working with community elders and peace committees to address the persistent cattle theft and other security threats.             He described cattle rustling as an issue of great security concern, saying timely intelligence would enable security agencies to respond effectively to incidents.             “Cattle rustling remains a security concern for the government. With adequate intelligence, our security infrastructure will always be ready to contain the crime,” said Mr. Chaunga.             The County Commissioner said community engagement remained critical in addressing livestock theft and preventing conflicts between neighbouring communities.             Meanwhile, residents of Kilimani in Isiolo Town have appealed to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to intervene following the killing of two people at Shab area along the Isiolo-Meru boundary mid this week.             The residents said the two victims, an elderly man and a young herder, were killed during a raid allegedly carried out by armed people suspected to have come from the Meru side.             Speaking at the Livestock Marketing Division (LMD) area, a resident, Dekha Kasim called on the government to enhance security and protect livestock keepers from armed raids.             “The government must protect our herders from aggressive raiders from neighbouring counties. We are losing lives and livestock, and this situation cannot continue,” said Ms. Kasim. Other residents expressed concern over the disarming of National Police Reservists (NPRs), saying the move had left communities vulnerable to attacks.             They appealed to the government to review the decision and consider rearming vetted community policing reservists to help protect lives and property.             Another resident, Hussein Samatar, said the distribution of firearms to community policing reservists had been unfair, and called for greater consideration of communities affected by cattle raids.             “The distribution of KPR guns has been unfair and biased. We want our people to be armed so that they can protect their property,” said Mr. Samatar.             He claimed that residents had experienced frequent attacks over the past few weeks and expressed concern that some victims were yet to receive justice.             “There have been frequent attacks against our people in the last two weeks. We are yet to get justice from the security agencies, and we fear that the lawlessness could get out of control if appropriate action is not taken,” he said.             The residents also called on elders and peace-building committees from the Meru and Isiolo communities to move swiftly to prevent retaliatory attacks and restore calm along the unpredictable boundary.