Embattled Orange Democratic party secretary general and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised the national government over rising insecurity in Northern Grazing zones in Meru County, accusing security agencies of prioritising political operations instead of tackling cattle rustling that has left residents living in persistent fear.
Speaking at politician Zabron Mathenge’s home, Sifuna said it was alarming that bandits were continuing to raid villages and steal livestock while large numbers of police officers were being deployed to disrupt political gatherings.
“It is shocking that in this era bandits roam freely in Meru and walk away with livestock while all police officers have been commanded to focus on disrupting politicians.
“Why can’t they use the same teargas they lob at my meetings against those bandits? Was that force meant only for politicians?” Sifuna wondered.
He further criticised Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, questioning why police officers were allegedly being directed against unarmed civilians instead of being sent to insecurity-prone areas.
“Those police officers sent to disrupt meetings are enough to curb cattle rustling in Meru,” he said.
Sifuna also accused the government of abandoning promises made by President William Ruto before taking office, saying the Head of State had pledged not to misuse state power to settle political scores.
“He had declared that once he ascended to power, he would not misuse power to settle political scores, but what we are witnessing now is different,” Sifuna said.
At the same event, Meru Senate aspirant Mwenda Ithili called for urgent Senate intervention over persistent attacks in the county’s northern grazing zones, saying residents were losing lives and livelihoods to armed rustlers.
“I will petition the Senate to summon Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen to answer why Meru people in the northern grazing zones are being killed and livestock stolen every day,” Ithili said.
According to Ithili, four people have been shot dead in the past week alone, while hundreds of livestock have been stolen in repeated raids.
“In the last one week, four people have been shot dead by rustlers and hundreds of livestock stolen. I have tried to intervene but my efforts fell on deaf ears. We are tired,” he said.
He added that restoring public confidence in leadership would be key to addressing insecurity and improving governance, saying young leaders pushing for accountability deserved support.
“It is the trust the Kenyan people have in a leader that will change the fortunes of this country. I recognise the Linda Mwananchi brigade of young tucks like Sifuna, Ndindi Nyoro and Babu Owino among others, and my stand remains intact, I will be within your camp.” he said
The leaders spoke amid growing concern over recurring cattle rustling incidents in parts of northern Meru, where local communities have repeatedly appealed for stronger security deployment.
Sifuna accused the government of creating fear among citizens and suppressing dissent through arrests.
He said since March 2025 more than 30 innocent youths have been killed and others abducted.
“Who told you it is a must for us to live fearing this administration because of abductions, killings and all manner of ills they are committing? Once one posts something on Facebook not pleasing them, you are arrested,” he said.
Sifuna claimed that young people and elderly citizens had been targeted, alleging that police were interfering even in private disputes.
“Yesterday they arrested an innocent person who is a board member of The Nairobi Hospital. I was called by family members saying their father was arrested at night just because of a private dispute. Why does police cross their line and interfere?” he said.
Sifuna said Ruto has lost the gripse of Mwananchi expressing confident the opposition will win the 2027 general elections.
“Kasongo has no votes . I have travelled in Western, Mt Kenya, Nairobi, Maasai, North Eastern and Coast. Don’t be intimidated with lies. The secret is numbers and once we overwhelmingly vote and defeat him with more than 5 million votes, he can’t rig. We want to return this country to the values of the constitution,” he said.
Edited by John Majau
