‘No Illegal Herding In The National Parks!’ – CS Murkomen Announces
Kipchumba Murkomen, the Interior Cabinet Secretary, has issued a strong warning to illegal herders into Meru National Park.
During a press briefing on Thursday, May 8, the CS claimed that these illegal herders had stolen cattle from local residents.
This condition has heightened tensions and conflicts, particularly along the Meru-Tharaka Nithi border.
Murkomen acknowledged that the government is in the process of deploying more policemen from the newly constituted National Government Administration Police Unit.
These police will cooperate with the Kenya Wildlife Service and local authorities to apprehend the herders.
“A recent phenomenon that has emerged is the presence of illegal herders within the national park, who are causing conflict and, at times, stealing livestock from Tharaka Nithi residents,” he said.
“We are working very closely with the KWS to flush out these illegal herders who come into the national park and take advantage of that opportunity to steal livestock from the local farmers,” he added.
Furthermore, the CS stated that the government, through the KWS, is working to ensure that victims of human-wildlife conflicts in the park receive prompt compensation.
“This county borders the Meru National Park, and therefore, human-wildlife conflict is being managed by the KWS,” he stated.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen says the government has rolled out measures to address livestock theft and border disputes affecting Kiamiramba, Tharaka, and the Meru–Tharaka Nithi boundary. #KBCniYetu ^MM pic.twitter.com/QgxuN0qod2
— KBC Channel 1 News (@KBCChannel1) May 8, 2025
“We are happy that they are engaging with the community, and a lot of effort is being put into compensation. We just want to listen to the people and see how we can make the process even more prompt.”
The announcement came only days after the CS reported that the number of stock theft and banditry incidents had fallen from January to March.
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In a statement issued on Saturday, May 3, the CS noted that just 167 incidences of cattle theft were reported across the country during the last three months, compared to 263 cases in the same period last year.
Furthermore, the CS said that 4,935 livestock were taken between January and March, compared to 8,557 during the same period in 2024.
“Our first quarter security report covering January-March 2025 indicated a significant decrease in cases of banditry and stock theft,” he stated.
“These significant gains are attributed to the concerted efforts of our security officers, including the NPR, working in close collaboration,” he added.
‘No Illegal Herding In The National Parks!’ – CS Murkomen Announces
