Samburu professionals have raised concerns over an ongoing security operation in Samburu County, calling for an immediate halt to the operation and greater accountability following reports that hundreds of livestock have been killed and residents injured. The demands come at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to deal with banditry, illegal firearms and livestock theft in northern Kenya.

The controversy has particularly focused on parts of Samburu East, where residents and local leaders have reported significant losses of livestock during a security operation. The issue has attracted attention from Samburu professionals, elected leaders and other community representatives, who argue that efforts to restore security should also protect innocent residents and their livelihoods.

Recent reports indicate that the operation followed a series of security incidents linked to livestock theft and armed attacks around the Samburu-Isiolo area. A security team had been pursuing suspected livestock thieves after an attack in the Gotu area of Isiolo County in which two Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers, a National Police Reservist and two civilians were reportedly killed. Another NPR officer was later shot while escorting Safaricom workers after their vehicle was allegedly targeted by gunmen. 

Samburu professionals raise alarm

The Samburu Professionals Association has joined calls for accountability over the reported deaths of livestock during the security operations. The association says affected families need a transparent process through which their losses can be documented and independently verified.

Speaking in Nairobi, association member Steve Leakono said preliminary information gathered by teams on the ground had identified at least 717 animals reportedly lost. The figure included 415 goats, 352 cattle and 50 donkeys. However, the association stressed that the figure was preliminary because teams were still reaching affected households and documenting additional cases. 

The association's concerns are significant because livestock represent more than property for many pastoralist families. Cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys are closely connected to household income, food security, education, health expenses and the ability of families to survive difficult economic periods.

Consequently, the reported destruction of livestock has generated concerns extending beyond the immediate security operation. Families who have lost animals may face difficulties paying school fees, purchasing food, accessing medical care and rebuilding their herds.

Demand for the operation to be halted

Residents and local leaders have called for the security operation to be halted as questions continue to emerge over how the operation was conducted.

Reports from the area indicate that residents have protested over the alleged killing of livestock, while leaders have demanded an independent investigation into what happened. Switch TV reported that residents were calling for the operation to stop and for the conduct of security officers to be investigated. 

The demand for a halt should be understood within the wider concern about balancing two important objectives: combating banditry and protecting civilians.

Samburu residents have experienced insecurity, livestock theft and armed attacks for years. At the same time, residents affected by the current operation are asking authorities to ensure that security enforcement does not result in innocent families losing their livelihoods.

Different figures have been reported

One of the major issues surrounding the controversy is the absence of a single officially verified figure for the livestock reportedly killed.

Samburu Senator Lelegwe Ltumbesi told the Senate that 415 goats and 102 cattle were allegedly killed during an operation in Waso Ward in Samburu East Constituency. He also reported that two residents were shot and wounded. According to the senator, the operation involved personnel from the General Service Unit and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit.

Other reports have provided higher estimates.

Radio Generation reported that Samburu leaders were citing more than 765 livestock allegedly killed, including 515 shoats, 220 cattle and 30 donkeys. 

Meanwhile, Samburu East MP Jackson Lekumontare reportedly gave another estimate, saying his assessment had identified more than 700 goats, 500 cattle and several donkeys as having died. That figure has not been independently verified.

The differences demonstrate why Samburu professionals are calling for comprehensive documentation. Until an independent verification process is completed, the exact number of animals lost remains disputed.

Why livestock losses are especially serious

For pastoralist communities, livestock are central to the local economy.

A cow, goat or donkey is not simply an animal with a market value. Livestock can provide milk, meat, transportation, income and a form of household wealth. Animals are also commonly used in traditional social and economic arrangements.

The loss of hundreds of animals therefore potentially affects entire households.

This is why the Samburu Professionals Association has called for compensation for affected families. The association says the compensation process should be transparent, independently verifiable and accessible to all affected households.

It has also called for detailed documentation showing the owners of the animals, the locations where the animals were allegedly killed and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. 

Such documentation would help distinguish confirmed losses from unverified claims and provide authorities with evidence that can be independently examined.

Professionals seek accountability, not interference with security

The Samburu Professionals Association has emphasized that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to efforts to combat banditry.

The association has said it does not intend to prejudge the security operation. Instead, it wants accountability, proper documentation and justice for families that may have lost their livelihoods. 

This distinction is important because Samburu communities themselves have a strong interest in improved security.

Banditry and livestock theft have affected northern Kenya for many years. Government agencies have repeatedly deployed security teams to recover stolen animals, disarm criminals and prevent further attacks.

The National Police Service, for example, has previously conducted multi-agency operations in Samburu involving the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit, National Police Reservists and other security actors. In one 2025 operation, security officers recovered stolen livestock after an encounter with suspected bandits near Ol Kanjau. 

The challenge is therefore finding a security approach that addresses criminal activity while maintaining public confidence.

Government's position on security operations

The government has maintained that security operations are necessary in areas affected by banditry and illegal firearms.

In July 2026, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced a fresh security operation targeting individuals accused of sponsoring or facilitating banditry in Samburu, West Pokot, Tiaty and Isiolo. He said the operation would be intelligence-led and urged individuals illegally holding firearms to surrender them.

Murkomen also warned individuals allegedly financing banditry that security agencies would pursue them.

Earlier, security authorities had issued an ultimatum to suspected rustlers in Marsabit, Isiolo and Samburu to return livestock allegedly stolen during raids. The Kenya News Agency reported that elders, peace committees, security officers and administrators were involved in discussions aimed at facilitating the peaceful return of stolen animals. 

These actions demonstrate the government's stated objective of dealing with livestock theft and armed criminality in the region.

The role of KDF and other security agencies

Security operations in Samburu have also involved the Kenya Defence Forces under Operation Maliza Uhalifu.

The Ministry of Defence has said KDF personnel deployed in Samburu have been conducting community engagements designed to strengthen cooperation between security agencies and residents.

In May 2026, the ministry reported that KDF personnel at Learoni Camp conducted a civil-military cooperation and key leadership engagement activity in Loibor Ngare, Samburu West. The ministry said the engagement involved security teams, local leaders and residents and was aimed at strengthening cooperation in addressing insecurity and criminal activities.

In another engagement at Loibor Ngare Centre, local community representatives and elders expressed appreciation for security efforts and pledged cooperation with security agencies. 

The current controversy therefore highlights a tension between security enforcement and community confidence.

Calls for an independent investigation

Beyond demanding that the operation be halted, leaders and professionals are calling for an independent investigation.

Senator Lelegwe has requested investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing of livestock and the shooting of residents. He has also sought clarification regarding the legal basis, command structure and authorisation of the operation.

An independent inquiry could help establish several important facts.

These include the exact number of animals killed, the identity of their owners, the circumstances in which the animals died, whether residents were injured and whether security officers acted within the law and established operational procedures.

An investigation could also help determine whether the reported livestock deaths occurred as a direct consequence of the operation or under circumstances connected to the broader insecurity in the region.

The question of compensation

Compensation has become another major issue.

The Samburu Professionals Association wants the government to create a transparent mechanism through which families can submit claims for livestock reportedly lost during the operation.

Such a mechanism would require proper records.

Families would need to identify the animals they lost, while independent teams would need to verify the claims. Local administrators, community elders and relevant government departments could potentially play roles in the documentation process.

The association has emphasized that remote households should not be excluded from the exercise simply because they are difficult to reach. 

A transparent process would also help prevent disputes over the number of animals affected.

Balancing security and human rights

The Samburu situation illustrates a broader challenge facing security agencies in northern Kenya.

Authorities have a responsibility to protect people from armed attacks, cattle rustling and other forms of criminality. Residents also have rights that must be respected during security operations.

This means security agencies must work within the law while ensuring that civilians are protected.

The United Kingdom's current travel advice for Kenya continues to identify Samburu and neighbouring northern counties as areas where banditry, cattle rustling and intercommunal violence can occur, noting that security operations continue in parts of the region. 

The persistence of insecurity explains why the government is reluctant to abandon security interventions completely. However, the concerns raised by Samburu professionals demonstrate why community engagement and accountability remain important components of security policy.

Importance of community cooperation

Community cooperation is crucial to any long-term effort to end banditry.

Security agencies require information from residents to identify criminals, trace stolen livestock and locate illegal firearms. At the same time, communities need confidence that information they provide will be used responsibly and that innocent residents will not be collectively punished.

The Ministry of Defence has previously highlighted community engagement as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, while local elders and residents have participated in peace and security meetings. 

The current dispute could therefore become an opportunity for renewed dialogue between the government, security agencies, professionals, elected leaders, elders and affected residents.

What happens next?

The immediate focus is likely to remain on establishing what happened during the operation and determining the extent of the reported losses.

The Samburu Professionals Association wants affected families identified and their losses documented. Local political leaders are calling for investigations. Residents want answers regarding the reported livestock deaths and injuries.

At the same time, the government faces the continuing challenge of dealing with banditry, livestock theft and illegal firearms in Samburu and neighbouring counties.

The outcome of any investigation could be important in determining the next steps. If wrongdoing is established, those responsible could face appropriate legal or administrative action. If some of the reported figures are found to be inaccurate, an independent verification process could also clarify the situation.