Murkomen: Cattle theft along Kericho-Kisumu border contained
By Aloys Michael, August 7, 2025Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that the security situation along the volatile Kisumu-Kericho border has significantly improved.
Cattle rustling has long been a flashpoint for conflict along the Kisumu-Kericho border, often escalating into violent retaliatory attacks.
Murkomen said a crackdown on cattle theft, a longstanding source of inter-community violence in the region, had been contained.
Addressing the Jukwa la Usalama Kericho edition on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Murkomen said calm had largely been restored in hotspots such as Nyakach and Sondu, where frequent cattle raids had sparked violent clashes.
“Cattle theft along the Kisumu and Kericho border has largely been contained. We want to thank the public for being very supportive in the Nyakach and Sondu areas,” the CS said.
He revealed that in addition to arresting cattle thieves, law enforcement agencies had also targeted illegal butcheries where stolen livestock was being slaughtered and sold.
“It has helped to contain the problem by going to the source,” he explained.
Murkomen confirmed that so far, 25 individuals are facing various charges in connection with the livestock theft, while other persons of interest are still in custody after failing to raise bail.
“The cases are in various stages. Some suspects are still being held after they failed to raise bail,” he said.
Security in Kerio Valley
Meanwhile, Murkomen said the government has intensified its crackdown on bandits who have recently resorted to killing innocent civilians after cattle rustling was contained.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the family of the late Fr Alloys Cheruiyot Bett at their home in Cheplasgei Village, Kilibwoni Division, Nandi County, the CS vowed to hunt down all assailants and restore peace to the area.
He reaffirmed his commitment to securing the country, emphasising that no one will be spared.
“In the recent weeks, our security forces have intensified the crackdown against bandits in Kerio Valley subcounty, and arrests have been made. As a result of these efforts and frustrated by the inability to carry out livestock raids, the bandits have resorted to terrorist activities where they kill innocent civilians inside the community, away from cattle rustling,” Murkomen explained.
He explained that the bandits’ strategy is to instil fear and compel security officers to abandon their operations.