The government has declared parts of Laikipia, Meru, and Isiolo counties as security-disturbed areas, effective March 26, 2026, in a bid to tackle escalating banditry and criminal activity.
In a Gazzete notice dated 26th March 2026, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that the move is aimed at restoring peace and stability in regions plagued by repeated attacks and violence.
“This notice shall take effect on the 26th March, 2026 as from 6.00 p.m., for a period of 30 days and may, at any time be withdrawn or continued in force for such further period as the Cabinet Secretary may, in each case, by notice in the Gazette direct,” said Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in a special Gazette Notice.
The declaration is part of a broader security intervention aimed at restoring order in areas that have experienced repeated attacks linked to armed criminal groups. According to Murkomen, the designation will support a major multi-agency security operation targeting banditry networks, illegal firearms, and other criminal activities.
Security agencies will intensify operations, including intelligence-led raids and patrols, to curb the spread of illicit weapons.
“We have declared parts of Laikipia, Meru, and Isiolo counties as security-disturbed and dangerous to facilitate a major security operation to weed out perpetrators of recent incidents of criminal activities in the areas,” Murkomen wrote on X.
The government pledged to sustain the crackdown until banditry is eliminated and criminal networks dismantled.
CS Murkomen further stated that the operation, which also involves a mop-up of illegal firearms, follows governmebt’s earlier deployment of 400 additional police officers to reinforce the officers on the ground, among other measures.
The possession of illicit weapons has contributed to the insecurity, and officials are determined to restore peace and stability in the affected regions .
