Kindiki Unleashes GSU Against Livestock Theft in Meru
On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared the deployment of elite General Service Unit (GSU) special forces to the troubled Meru North region on behalf of the government.
Kindiki, while on a tour of the area, explained that the recurrent theft of livestock in the region had forced the deployment.
To justify the deployment of elite forces, the Interior CS disclosed that the criminals were hazardous and armed.
Furthermore, Kindiki declared the expansion of Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) bases throughout the area.
“We commend security officers who have diligently and courageously faced the armed criminals and recovered a substantial amount of the stolen livestock,” Kindiki stated.
The CS further stated that on Monday, 140 National Police Reservists (NPR) commenced their training in support of the disciplined forces’ efforts to restore order to the area.
Kindiki issued a warning to regional politicians during his tour to refrain from undermining the exercise.
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“Security operations must be depoliticized, and any leader, their political persuasion or influence notwithstanding, who incites, finances or plans banditry and livestock rustling will be apprehended and prosecuted,” he warned.
The announcement of the deployment followed a meeting between the CS and the region’s highest-ranking security officers.
Members of the Eastern Regional Security and Intelligence Committee, Meru County and Mutuati Sub-county Security and Intelligence teams, and local commanders of ASTU, GSU, and other security formations were among the officers in attendance at the high-level security meeting.
To prevent livestock larceny in the area, Kindiki designated the entirety of Meru North as a security zone in May 2023.
“The same dedication, vigor, and commitment deployed in the fight against bandits and armed criminals in North Rift will be deployed to neutralize perpetrators and masterminds of livestock theft,” he vowed then.
Kindiki Unleashes GSU Against Livestock Theft in Meru