Four suspects dead, six rifles 527 rounds recovered in Meru security raid
The targeted hideout was reportedly a makeshift camp serving as a base for the group.
Four suspected bandits were gunned down on Tuesday during a joint security operation in Kubisera village, located in the Igembe area of Meru County.
The early morning raid was part of an ongoing nationwide effort to dismantle armed criminal networks threatening peace in the region.
During the operation, officers recovered six AK-47 rifles, 527 rounds of ammunition, and eight mobile phones believed to have been used in coordinating attacks.
The targeted hideout was reportedly a makeshift camp serving as a base for the group.
Security officials linked the crackdown to recent attacks in the area, which have triggered alarm among residents and local leaders.
"The operation was successful. Our officers managed to recover weapons and neutralise suspects who have been terrorizing residents," a police official said.
The government has moved to address banditry with a range of countermeasures.
These include the formation of a specialised unit and intensified patrols in vulnerable areas.
As part of the effort, members of the National Police Reserve are undergoing a thorough vetting exercise to remove rogue elements and enhance operational discipline.
This vetting process involves retraining, an updated chain of command, and improved support for officers through better welfare benefits such as medical coverage and stipends.
It is currently being implemented in the broader Kerio Valley region.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently noted a decline in banditry cases since the beginning of the year, crediting improved coordination between security agencies for the progress.
Statistics from the Ministry of Interior show that 21 lives were lost to banditry between January and March 2025, compared to 58 over the same period last year.
Among the victims were a police officer, eight civilians, and twelve suspected attackers.
Livestock theft has also seen a drop, with 167 cases reported in the first quarter of 2025, down from 263 in early 2024.
During the same time, 4,935 animals were stolen, a notable decrease from the 8,557 reported the previous year.
Despite the improved figures, Murkomen acknowledged ongoing hurdles.
These include the easy availability of illegal weapons, political interference, unresolved land issues, and logistical challenges caused by poor road networks and lack of reliable communication infrastructure.
"These gains are encouraging, but we are still facing serious obstacles. The government is investing in infrastructure, schools, and better equipment for our officers to strengthen our response," he said.
The Igembe raid was part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, launched in February 2023.
The joint initiative, involving both the National Police Service and Kenya Defence Forces, covers nine counties plagued by banditry and cattle rustling: Meru, Isiolo, Laikipia, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
Several parts of these counties have been marked as disturbed and dangerous zones, where security teams continue to operate under special directives aimed at restoring peace.
