By Issa Hussein - Reporter
June 02, 2026 - A multi-agency security team has recovered 251 sheep and goats stolen by suspected bandits in Loiyangalani Sub-County, in the latest operation targeting livestock theft and insecurity in northern Kenya.
The National Police Service (NPS) said the animals were recovered after security officers pursued the suspects to the Lokilipi and Sarima areas, where they engaged armed bandits in a firefight.
According to the NPS, the suspects abandoned the livestock and fled after coming under pressure from the pursuing security team “As the pursuit intensified, the officers tracked the stolen animals to the Lokilipi and Sarima areas, where they encountered armed bandits, leading to a confrontation marked by an exchange of gunfire. This forced the suspects to abandon the livestock and flee,” the NPS said in a statement.
The recovered livestock have been placed under police custody pending identification, verification and eventual handover to their rightful owners.
The operation comes amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb banditry and livestock rustling, which continue to pose a major security challenge across parts of Marsabit and neighbouring counties in northern Kenya.
For decades, pastoralist communities in Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Isiolo and Baringo counties have faced recurrent livestock raids driven by competition over grazing land, water resources and longstanding inter-community disputes. The raids have often resulted in loss of lives, displacement of families and destruction of livelihoods.
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In recent years, the government has intensified security operations in bandit-prone areas through the deployment of specialised police units and multi-agency teams, leading to the recovery of stolen livestock, arrest of suspects and seizure of illegal firearms.
The National Police Service said the latest recovery underscores its commitment to combating stock theft and restoring stability in affected regions.
“This successful operation serves as yet another demonstration of the National Police Service's continued crackdown on banditry and stock theft, reaffirming its commitment to restoring security and protecting life and property,” the service said.
Security agencies have urged residents to continue sharing information that could help prevent livestock theft and support ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
No arrests were reported during the operation, and investigations are ongoing as police pursue the suspects who escaped.