Residents and farmers from Thiriti and Kinisa areas in Mutuati Sub-county, Igembe North Constituency in Meru County have raised alarm over the escalating bandit attacks that have left the community living in fear and economic despair.
The latest incident occurred on Wednesday night when suspected bandits intercepted grazing herds in an attempt to drive them away.
However, officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) in Kinisa responded swiftly, repulsing the attackers and recovering the animals.
Despite the intervention, residents say the situation has worsened, with bandits now targeting homesteads after depleting livestock from communal grazing fields.
“We flee our homes as early as 6pm and spend nights in the bushes for safety,” said Joseph Maore Muika from Kinisa.
“Our homes have become unsafe, and when the bandits come, they harass and beat us. The government must step in and protect us.”
Isaiah Muroki Mueti from Ithiriti noted that women are no longer able to farm due to insecurity.
“They are now attacking even in town. The operations should extend to farms because last night women slept outside in fear. Animals were stolen,” he said.
Priscilla Gacheri Michubu recounted how livestock are now being stolen directly from homes.
“They untie cows at night, and there are cases where women are abducted,” she said.
Grace Kambura painted a grim picture of life in the area, saying residents no longer farm or sleep peacefully.
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“All our cows have been taken. We are surviving in fear,” she said.
Teresa Kaumi Iguru criticized local leadership, saying residents are being left to fend for themselves.
“If we are told not to farm due to insecurity, then the government should provide us with food. We depend entirely on farming,” she said.
Philip Kaberia described the latest attack in Muriungi where cows were stolen, expressing concern over the situation.
“During the previous administration, security was better because police were well facilitated,” he said.
James Mati echoed the concerns, calling for immediate government intervention.
“We spent the whole night in terror. The ongoing operation is not helping. We need a more effective approach,” he said.
Silas Mung’athia Mweti, a former Kenya Police Reservist (KPR), questioned the preparedness of security agencies.
“How can two guns face 50 bandits? Police seem to fear the attackers. Since herders from Turkana were allowed into the area, insecurity has escalated,” he claimed.
Former MCA John Ntongai blamed poor leadership for the crisis, alleging that community security structures have been weakened.
“KPR officers who protected us were killed. We have many police stations, but they are ineffective due to poor coordination and lack of goodwill,” he said.
He urged authorities to verify records in police occurrence books (OB) to establish the identities of victims, adding that residents are frustrated by the lack of tangible results from the ongoing security operation.
The residents are now calling for intensified patrols, better facilitation of security personnel, and a comprehensive strategy to restore peace in the region.
“We depend on farming and livestock. With miraa no longer reliable and our animals gone, our livelihoods have been destroyed,” one resident lamented.
The community continues to appeal to both national and local leaders to act swiftly before the situation deteriorates further.
