Interior CS Kithure Kindiki ordered the immediate deployment of an anti-stock theft unit in Meru North in order to stem the tide of cattle rustling between Meru and Isiolo Counties.
Speaking at the Ndoleli Chief’s Camp in Igembe North Constituency, Meru County, Kindiki declared the Meru North region a security operation zone, similar to the North Rift Valley, where a multisectoral team is fighting banditry.
“I am declaring Meru North a security operation zone… I am ordering the immediate deployment of Anti-Stock theft officers in the Meru North region as requested by the residents,” he said.
Cattle rustlers allegedly murdered George Kaliunga, the immediate former MCA of Antubetwe Kiongo Ward, Igembe North Constituency.
“Mr George Kaliunga the former MCA did not die accidentally. It clearly looks like there was a plan to eliminate him. I assure you that his killers will be apprehended and prosecuted,” Kindiki said.
“I direct the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to constitute a special team that will probe this matter and get to the bottom of it.”
He stated that the security team in Meru North and across the country must use all of their skills and experience to identify criminals who are causing problems for our citizens.
“We must be more pre-emptive than reactive in security management,” he said.
Kindiki stated that the same approach that the government used to deal with bandits and armed criminals in the North Rift Valley will be used to deal with cattle rustlers.
“The same dedication, vigour, and commitment deployed in the fight against bandits and armed criminals in the six counties of North Rift Valley will be deployed to neutralise perpetrators and masterminds of livestock theft.”
Kindiki expressed doubt that the former MCA was killed by bandits, saying that a special unit will be formed to investigate the incident.
He added that the Internal Affairs Unit will investigate if, by any chance, the deceased was killed by officers. According to Kindiki, those found guilty will face the law.
