Meru Livestock Recovered in Isiolo Following Intense Multi-Agency Pursuit

Police have recovered 22 head of cattle stolen in Meru County in neighbouring Isiolo following a coordinated security operation involving the National Police Service (NPS) and National Police Reservists (NPR). According to police, the livestock were reported missing at Mutuati Police Station, prompting a multi-agency pursuit that tracked the suspected rustlers across county lines. Officers intercepted the group in the Kampi Samaki area of Garbatula Sub-County, Isiolo, where a brief gunfight broke out. According to police, the suspected bandits fled, abandoning the animals. All 22 cattle were recovered unharmed, bringing the total number of livestock retrieved in the case to 52 and marking a full recovery of the stolen herd. The animals were escorted back to Meru and handed over to their owner. Police said the operation demonstrates ongoing efforts to curb livestock theft in pastoral border zones, where communities often rely on cattle and small stock as key economic assets. The NPS urged residents to continue sharing intelligence and cooperating with authorities, noting that sustained collaboration has led to improved recoveries and deterrence. Security agencies maintain that operations in the region will continue, amid calls from local leaders for joint policing arrangements to address recurrent cross-county rustling. MOn December 30, 2025, police officers in Tigania East Sub-County, Meru County recovered 204 head of cattle stolen during a night raid in the area. According to the National Police Service, the recovery followed a swift response and a coordinated pursuit by officers after the theft was reported. The stolen livestock was traced to the Madoadoa area along the Isiolo–Gambela Road. Security officers confronted the suspected cattle rustlers, leading to an exchange of fire before the suspects were overwhelmed and forced to abandon the animals. The National Police Service said that all the recovered cattle were secured and later handed back to their rightful owners. Police said operations targeting livestock theft have been intensified through coordinated patrols, multi-agency collaboration, and partnerships with local communities. This followed a multy-agency pursuit by police officers in Garbatula, Isiolo County that led to the recovery of 300 goats that were stolen from two local herders following a swift security operation. According to the National Police Service, officers from Garbatula Police Station responded promptly after receiving a report of the theft and launched a pursuit of the suspected livestock thieves. The officers tracked the stolen animals to the Malkandaka area, where they encountered five suspected rustlers.