Isiolo leaders affiliated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have threatened to reconsider their support for President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election unless the government takes urgent action to address persistent bandit attacks in the region.
The leaders, led by Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo, issued the warning on Sunday, September 20, saying continued insecurity could erode the ruling party’s support among pastoralist communities.
Some leaders said they could withdraw their campaign for Ruto’s re-election if the government fails to restore security and protect residents from attacks.
They directed their criticism at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, arguing that repeated appeals from county officials and Parliament had failed to produce meaningful action against bandits.
“Security issues were not limited to Isiolo alone. I have seen people in Turkana County raising alarms as well, and why? Because of insecurity,” Governor Guyo stated.
“When Kimili was the Minister for Interior, whenever such things happened, you would see him right there on the ground. It gives citizens confidence that their government is present and actively working.”
Guyo said security agencies had failed to adequately respond to the concerns of communities affected by banditry, noting that insecurity had also triggered complaints from residents of Turkana County.
He contrasted the current response with that of a former Interior Cabinet Secretary, whom he said would travel to areas affected by attacks, giving residents reassurance that the government was actively responding to their plight.
Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Boyana said local leaders had repeatedly brought the security situation to Murkomen’s attention, arguing that the worsening attacks could not be blamed on them.
Boyana warned that residents could be forced to take matters into their own hands if the government failed to guarantee their safety, saying families were growing tired of burying victims of bandit attacks.
The leaders' warning followed a deadly attack on Wednesday in which five people, including two police officers, were killed. Hundreds of livestock were also reportedly driven away during the incident.
President Ruto has repeatedly pledged to take firm action against banditry and cattle rustling, warning armed groups operating in areas including Laikipia, Samburu and the Kerio Valley to surrender illegal firearms or face action from security agencies.
Through the Interior Ministry's Operation Maliza Uhalifu, multi-agency security teams have recovered thousands of illegal firearms while facilitating the reopening of schools and markets affected by insecurity.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have also opened access roads in parts of Laikipia and Baringo to facilitate security patrols and improve access to affected areas.
"We will be decisive in stamping out banditry. We will neutralise every bandit who defies the government and attempts any criminal act. Every bandit must be brought to book, every illegal gun surrendered willingly or by force. And every child must go back to school," President Ruto stated.
