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Police have successfully recovered 22 cattle stolen from Meru County in Isiolo after a coordinated operation involving the National Police Service (NPS) and National Police Reservists (NPR).
The theft was reported at Mutuati Police Station, prompting a multi-agency pursuit that tracked the suspects across county borders. Officers intercepted the group in Kampi Samaki, Garbatula Sub-County, where a brief exchange of gunfire occurred.
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The suspected rustlers fled, abandoning the cattle.
All 22 animals were recovered unharmed, bringing the total number of livestock retrieved in the case to 52, marking a full recovery of the stolen herd. The cattle were returned to their rightful owner in Meru.
Police emphasized that the operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat livestock theft in border areas, where communities heavily depend on cattle and small stock as key economic assets. Authorities urged residents to continue sharing intelligence, noting that community cooperation has improved recovery rates and deterred criminals.
Earlier incidents in the region illustrate the growing focus on anti-theft operations. On December 30, 2025, officers in Tigania East, Meru County, recovered 204 cattle stolen during a night raid, tracing them to Madoadoa along the Isiolo–Gambela Road. Confrontations with suspected rustlers involved brief gunfire before the animals were recovered and returned.
Similarly, in Garbatula, Isiolo, officers recovered 300 goats stolen from two herders after a swift response and multi-agency pursuit. The animals were traced to Malkandaka, where five suspected rustlers were encountered.
The NPS said operations targeting livestock theft have been intensified through joint patrols, multi-agency collaboration, and partnerships with local communities, signaling a sustained crackdown on cross-county rustling.
