Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has ordered the immediate deployment of an Antistock theft unit in Meru North to tame the wave of cattle rustling between Meru and Isiolo Counties.
Kindiki, who was addressing a security public baraza at Ndoleli Chief's Camp in Igembe North Constituency, Meru County, also declared the Meru North region a security operation zone, similar to the North Rift Valley where a multisectoral team is waging a war against banditry.
George Kaliunga, the immediate former MCA of Antubetwe Kiongo Ward, Igembe North Constituency, was allegedly murdered by cattle rustlers.
"Mr George Kaliunga the former MCA did not die accidentally. It clearly looks like there was a plan to eliminate him. I assure you that his killers will be apprehended and prosecuted," Kindiki said.
"I direct the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to constitute a special team that will probe this matter and get to the bottom of it."
He said the security team in Meru North and across the country must use all the skills and experience to identify criminals who are disturbing our citizens.
"We must be more pre-emptive than reactive in security management," he said.
Kindiki said the same way the government has neutralised bandits and armed criminals in the North Rift Valley will be the same approach that will be used to deal with cattle rustlers.
"I am declaring Meru North a security operation zone... I am ordering the immediate deployment of Anti-Stock theft officers in the Meru North region as requested by the residents," he said.
He ordered Meru County Commissioner and his Tharaka Nithi counterpart to meet on Tuesday and immediately come up with a plan to resolve border and land disputes between residents in the two counties.
"You must submit a comprehensive plan by tomorrow," he ordered.
