How scenic Nyambene hills became a cattle rustlers' paradise, hell for locals

Raila Odinga, Kiraitu Murungi and other leaders at the requeim mass for seven people killed by suspected camel herders from Isiolo [George Kaimenyi/Standard] Some parts of the vast Nyambene landscape in northern Meru are spellbinding. The spectacular Nyambene Hills rise in undulating waves, cloaked in thick forest and sheltering an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity. The region is the source of 14 permanent rivers that nourish vast swathes of Meru before feeding into the mighty Tana River and eventually emptying into the Indian Ocean. In an ideal world, this Edenic terrain would be a magnet for eco-tourism, a sanctuary for wildlife and nature lovers alike. But beneath the breathtaking scenery lies a far darker reality: Nyambene has become a haven for cattle rustlers-a flashpoint of fear, violence, and loss for the communities who call it home. Nyambene region is also dotted with natural marvels such as the Igombe Crater, a scenic salt lick perched atop elevated ground offering panoramic views of neighbouring Isiolo County and beyond. Hundreds of livestock are brought here daily to lick the mineral-rich soda. "This salt is good for my cattle-it protects them from worms and other diseases. It has healing powers, too," says Jeremy Guantai, watching as his 21 head of cattle jostle for access. Guantai's sentiments are echoed by fellow herders who swear by the health benefits, noting their animals rarely fall ill. At the crater's edge, livestock wait in droves, their owners queued in patient lines to access the site's treasured salt. New governor But the bucolic calm ends abruptly as one descends into lower Nyambene, bordering the increasingly volatile Isiolo and Samburu counties. Here, cattle rustling is no longer an occasional scourge-it's a constant threat. Former Meru Governor Peter Munya once sought to transform the area by proposing the Nyambene Conservancy, a protected area spanning 640 square kilometres. The initiative aimed to preserve wildlife-dik-diks, gazelles, giraffes, and more-while curbing rampant livestock theft. To that end, 27 rangers trained by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) were deployed to patrol the region. But that momentum stalled under Munya's successor. Governor Kawira Mwangaza redeployed the rangers to Meru town as revenue collectors and enforcement officers, drawing fierce backlash from Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu and residents. On March 17, in one of his first executive actions following Mwangaza's impeachment, newly sworn-in Governor Isaac Mutuma reversed the decision and ordered the rangers back to the cattle rustling-prone Nyambene, saying his administration wants to partner with the national government to enhance security in the area. "I direct that the rangers who were withdrawn from the northern grazing zones be restored. They are not needed in Meru town, where they collect revenue," he declared, promising patrol vehicles and proper equipment to bolster their work. County Secretary Kiambi Atheru was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the rangers return to the vast fields. But before resuming their former duties, the ranger had to undergo vetting, according to Dr Atheru. Taitumu and his colleagues John Mutunga (Tigania West), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), and Igembe South's John Paul Mwirigi, have been lamenting rampant insecurity in the area. In September last year, following a string of attacks by cattle rustlers, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Administration Police boss Gilbert Masengeli, and GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni led a security meeting in the area to explore ways to end the problem. "Cattle rustling has existed in Meru up to now and that is why I have visited to talk with the MPs, MCAs, police officers in the area, and the herders so that we can identify the gaps. We believe the people here can contribute solutions to the challenges," said Kanja. Aburi complained that the perennial livestock raids had deprived locals of their main source of livelihood. "The cattle rustlers have turned northern Meru into an ATM where they cross the border and make away with our livestock," he said. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula recently addressed the issue of cattle rustling, which has in recent years become the main internal security concern in the northern region. Speaking at a fundraiser for Tigania Women Sacco, Wetang'ula, who was accompanied by several Meru MPs, said it was upon the administrators to act to end the insecurity. "We don't want to hear livestock are stolen by your neighbours and sold as the owners suffer," he said. The Speaker challenged local administrators to liaise with the national government in identifying security gaps. "If you have a deficit of vehicles or equipment to deal with the criminals, you should inform us in Nairobi so that we can intervene," he said. He challenged chiefs in the affected regions to play their role by identifying people who could be working with the criminals. "There is no way someone can travel 100km away to steal livestock here without assistance from people here. There must be agents of the bandits. The chiefs should identify them," he said. Pasture conflicts On December 18, 2023, then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki (now Deputy President) presided over the graduation of 140 police reservists to fight cattle rustling in northern Meru, where raiders from neighbouring counties steal livestock, impoverishing locals. Last month, three police reservists were killed by cattle rustlers in an ambush at Mea area in Antuambui Ward, Igembe North. Even though all the animals were recovered, the lives lost are too many. The incident is just one of countless raids the rustlers have mounted in recent years, leaving many dead, injured, and a trail of destruction in their wake. "The increased insecurity in the grazing areas of Igembe and Tigania is alarming. Many people have been killed, while others have been left maimed, and hundreds of livestock stolen. A long-lasting solution needs to be found," says Munya. While cattle rustlers have made away with a large number of animals, armed herders from neighbouring counties have also been driving their livestock across the border into Meru, causing clashes with the locals. Three years ago seven people in Tigania East Sub County died in a conflict over grazing land, as the raiders who were armed with guns and other weapons went on a shooting spree in Mweronkoro, Lokichi, Matabithi and Johanna villages, where large chunks of land do not have title deeds. In April 2022, 18 people died in Tigania in a violent feud pitting herders from Isiolo who mounted an attack in retaliation after 10 camels were killed by people suspected to be from Athwana. According to Athwana MCA Jim Muchui, for decades, the area was considered a community grazing zone, hence anyone was free to drive their livestock in the fields. Muchui, who is the County Assembly Majority Whip, says the area has no title deeds, hence the perception that anyone is free to graze the animals there. "Thousands of cattle stolen have not been recovered, and the victims continue to sink in poverty," laments Muchui. As the situation remains volatile, legislators Taitumu, Aburi, and Kiili say cattle rustling has impoverished many families. According to Taitumu, even as the security personnel increase their presence, it is important to mount a major operation to recover stolen animals. "We have intelligence apparatus in this country, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, National Intelligence Service, they know. All the stolen livestock are in Samburu East," he said. The lawmaker complained that the rustling menace had robbed Igembe residents of their livelihoods, and they fear the killings will continue if appropriate measures are not taken urgently. "The impediment to livestock recovery is one thing; an operation has not been done. We have complained about it. An operation is required immediately to make sure that those people will not cross over," he said. He added, "These people (cattle rustlers) are not like the Al-Shabab. These are people who are known, their hideouts, and where the stolen animals are." While residents and their leaders remain pessimistic, Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma says recruitment of reservists from the Meru and Turkana communities has enhanced security. "The reservists have created a buffer zone such that the points the bandits used to cross over are now manned, and we have enough personnel to counter them when they come," he explains. Boundary disputes According to security expert Dr Elijah Arimi, a lecturer of Criminology and Psychology, drawing from the relative success in curbing similar crimes in the North Rift through military intervention, a multi-layered and locally tailored approach should be replicated in Meru. "Just as in the North Rift, a joint military-police operation has been considered to flush out armed criminals, dismantle hideouts and reclaim territory under the control of bandits. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), with their advanced training and intelligence capabilities, can provide a decisive edge in enforcement," said Dr Arimi. The university don is advocating for a community-centered intelligence gathering approach. "There is often a trust gap between security forces and local communities. Enhancing community policing through trusted local informants, elders, and reformed warriors can help map out criminal networks, hideouts, and supply chains for stolen livestock. But this could be complicated by internal betrayal, especially where leaders could be having a conflict of interest," Dr Arimi observes. He adds that there is a need to address historical land and boundary disputes. "Many cases of cattle rustling are rooted in territorial conflicts and unresolved ancestral claims. The government should establish a commission or support alternative dispute resolution processes involving community elders to resolve such issues," says Dr Arimi "Unemployment, poverty, and lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, water, and schools make rustling an attractive livelihood activity. Long-term deterrence demands massive investment in local development, especially building market access for livestock, introducing modern livestock tracking systems like branding and microchipping, as well as involvement of religious and cultural leaders," he adds. According to Dr Arimi, since traditional and religious leaders carry moral authority, they should be encouraged to speak against banditry, initiate peace dialogues, and restore traditional values that discourage theft and violence. Strengthened legal prosecution is also crucial in the fight against banditry and cattle rustling activities in Nyambene. "Even when rustlers are arrested, they often go Scot free due to weak investigations or witness intimidation. Strengthen local legal systems with special mobile courts, witness protection, and paralegal support to ensure swift and fair trials," notes Dr Arimi.

How scenic Nyambene hills became a cattle rustlers' paradise, hell for locals

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How scenic Nyambene hills became a cattle rustlers' paradise, hell for locals

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