Police have recovered 100 goats and an AK 47 assault rifle in an anti-stock theft operation undertaken in Turkana County.
In a statement on Wednesday January, 15, 2025, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the recoveries were made following a well-cordinated raid done a day earlier in Namakat village, Katilu location in Turkana County.
In addition, during the operation, one magazine and 11 ammunition were recovered.
Operation Maliza Uhalifu
The operation is wider part of the government security initiative dubbed Operation Maliza Uhalifu which targets escalating banditry, cattle rustling, and violence in nine counties.
The counties include Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru.
“On 14/01/2025, the multi-agency security team in Loyapat conducting an operation at Namakat Village within Katilu Location recovered 100 goats, 1 magazine, AK 47 assault rifle and 11 ammos,” the police statement revealed.
“The goats which were stolen from Lochacha Village last week by suspected bandits, were later handed over to the rightful owner at GSU Camp in Kainuk in the presence of a multi-agency security team including NGAO members from Sarmach and Lochacha.”
Police operations
The law enforcers have further lauded the progress made by the Maliza Uhalifu operations since the government commenced the peace plan two years ago.
Among the benefits highlighted by the police include a significant reduction of banditry cases in the troubled territories.
“Since its inception in 2023, the Operation Maliza Uhalifu police-led multi-agency team including KDF and NPS has made tremendous progress including significant reduction in banditry attacks in the North Rift and Eastern regions declared by the Government as “dangerous and disturbed areas”, namely Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Meru and Isiolo,” NPS stated.
According to the police a total of 241 illegal firearms and over 15,345 animals have been recovered, 272 persons are arrested and normalcy resumed with learning activities ongoing.
In mid-December last year, the Ministry of Interior announced a reduction of cattle rustling cases in the region courtesy of the multi-agency led team by NPS and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The operation resulted to a 62% reduction in cattle rustling occurrences, dropping from 63,054 stolen livestock to 23,668 decline.
The gains have also extended to learning where the smooth administration of KCSE and KPSEA exams in the region in 2024 was cited.
