Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has blamed persistent banditry in Samburu, Isiolo and Turkana counties on marginalisation and underdevelopment.
Murkomen said security operations alone cannot end the problem. Instead, he called for more investment in roads, schools and other infrastructure in affected areas.
The CS made the remarks on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, while appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Internal Security and National Administration.
Murkomen explains causes of banditry
According to Murkomen, several factors continue to fuel insecurity in Northern Kenya.
He pointed to illegal firearms, competition for pasture and underdevelopment as some of the main challenges.
“In my personal opinion, I believe the cause of banditry is marginalisation. Underdevelopment is a sustaining factor to banditry,” Murkomen said.
Therefore, the Interior CS said better infrastructure could help address the problem in the long term.
“Unless roads and schools are developed, police will continue to deal with bandits over and over and over again,” he said.
Murkomen also questioned why banditry remains common in parts of northern Kenya but has not spread to more developed towns.
“You should ask yourself why there are no bandits in Eldoret or Kitale? It is because of development. Why does it not spill over Meru town? The problem is not you, it is underdevelopment,” he said.
Security agencies recover 3,221 stolen animals
Meanwhile, Murkomen told MPs that security agencies had recovered thousands of stolen animals.
Authorities recorded reports of 4,306 stolen livestock between June and September 2026.
So far, security agencies have recovered 3,221 of the animals, according to the CS.
MPs challenge handling of Samburu operation
However, the committee meeting turned tense as MPs questioned the government’s handling of a security operation in Samburu.
Lawmakers raised concerns about reports of livestock and civilian deaths during the operation.
Murkomen said security officers received information about a suspected bandit attack on September 16.
According to the CS, suspected bandits ambushed the officers as they patrolled the area.
“Five people were fatally injured,” Murkomen said.
He added that police recorded 237 cattle deaths during the incident. Local leaders, however, claimed that about 700 cattle had died.
As a result, Murkomen urged leaders to avoid statements that could increase tensions in the region.
“Leaders should restrain themselves against inflammatory statements,” he said.
According to Murkomen, the security operation that followed targeted ammunition held by the suspected bandits.
“The operation was initiated to go for the ammunition which the bandits held,” Murkomen said.
Letipila condemns livestock deaths
Samburu North MP Eli Letipila, however, criticised the government’s handling of the operation.
He said livestock play a central role in the community and should not have faced attack.
“Livestock for us are sacred. Animals were innocent. Coming to spray bullets aimlessly at animals was wrong,” Letipila said.
In addition, the MP raised fresh concerns about insecurity in his constituency.
Letipila claimed that an attack was happening in his village in Marti as the committee met.
“As we speak right now there’s an attack happening at my village in Marti. Is the CS aware? A Grade Six student was on Saturday gunned down while herding cows,” he said.
MP says human lives should come first
Meanwhile, Buuri MP Rindikiri Mugambi urged leaders to focus on the loss of human life alongside the livestock deaths.
He acknowledged the importance of livestock. However, he pointed out that cattle theft remains illegal.
“We are hearing cows are sacred but stealing cows is also illegal. People were killed and human blood is more sacred,” Mugambi said.
Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda also called for caution during the discussion.
“Let’s leave the matter of sacredness aside. This meeting can easily go south,” she said.
Murkomen says government cannot offer compensation
On compensation, Murkomen said the government currently lacks a legal framework for compensating people who lost livestock during the operation.
“From a perspective of the criminal justice system, it is not possible to compensate. There’s no legal policy to compensate those who lost their livestock,” he said.
The CS also questioned the authenticity of some images circulating on social media.
“I saw pictures, which I don’t think are authentic, of dozens of cows which were killed,” Murkomen said.
However, he said authorities would take disciplinary action against any police officer who unlawfully shot livestock.
CS calls for security road funding
Murkomen also called for increased funding for security roads in areas affected by banditry.
He said the Interior Ministry had gone about three years without receiving dedicated funding for the roads.
“For the last three years or so, the Ministry has not received money for security roads. The Ministry is only depending on the Ministry of Transport,” he said.
At the same time, the CS urged political leaders to avoid turning insecurity into a political issue as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.
“I really beg the leaders here not to politicise security. I know it is an election year,” he said.
Overall, the government has identified several measures to improve security in Samburu and neighbouring counties.
These measures include building security roads, improving communication networks and deploying National Police Reservists.
The government says these efforts can complement security operations and help address the causes of insecurity in the region.
