Multi-Agency Team Recovers Stolen Cattle in Turkana

Kenya, July 1, 2026 - A multi-agency security operation has recovered 10 head of stolen cattle in Turkana County following a stock theft incident reported in neighbouring Pokot North Sub-County, as security agencies intensify efforts to curb persistent livestock rustling in the region.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the National Police Service (NPS) said the intelligence-led operation, conducted on Tuesday, June 30, led security officers to Namakat Village in Kalemngorok Sub-Location, Aroo Sub-County, where the stolen animals were traced and recovered.

The operation involved a coordinated team of security personnel drawn from different agencies working under an enhanced security framework.

According to the police, the recovered cattle were escorted to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) camp in Kainuk, where they are awaiting identification and handover to their rightful owners.

Police said security officers have maintained a heightened presence in the area as operations continue to recover the remaining stolen livestock and apprehend those responsible for the theft.

"The National Police Service urges members of the public with any information that could assist in the tracking of the remaining livestock or the identification of the suspects to report to the nearest police station," the NPS said in a statement.

The latest recovery comes amid renewed efforts by security agencies to tackle livestock theft, a crime that has plagued Turkana and neighbouring counties for decades.

Livestock rustling remains one of the region's most persistent security challenges, affecting communities in Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu and parts of Laikipia. What was once largely viewed as a cultural practice has evolved into organised criminal activity, with heavily armed gangs carrying out raids that often result in loss of life, displacement of families and destruction of livelihoods.

The recurring attacks have strained relations between neighbouring pastoralist communities and disrupted economic activities in a region where livestock is the primary source of income and wealth.

In response, the government has over the years intensified security interventions, including the deployment of Operation Maliza Uhalifu,a multi-agency security initiative aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in banditry and livestock theft across the North Rift and adjoining counties.

The operation has seen the deployment of specialised police units, including the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), the General Service Unit (GSU), the Administration Police Service and Kenya Defence Forces in some high-risk areas, supported by intelligence-led operations targeting criminal hideouts and illegal firearms.

Authorities say while significant progress has been made in reducing attacks in some areas, livestock theft remains a major concern, with security agencies continuing to pursue suspects and recover stolen animals through coordinated operations.

Police have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining security operations until those behind the latest theft are arrested and all the stolen livestock recovered.