The government has launched a security operation in Meru North to end endemic livestock theft and insecurity.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki toured the area on Sunday where he made the announcement.
The CS visited and condoled with the family of former Antubetwe Kiongo MCA George Kaliunga who was killed by bandits.
The CS, who was accompanied by Meru leaders, condemned the act as he talked tough and highlighted measures the government is taking to end banditry in the country.
"To conclusively deal with cattle rustling, the government has declared Meru North a security operation zone," he said.
"The same dedication, vigour, and commitment deployed in the fight against bandits and armed criminals in North Rift will be deployed to neutralise perpetrators and masterminds of livestock theft."
Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, MPs Kirima Ngushine (Imenti Central), Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri) lamented over frequent killings of innocent people by bandits.
Speaking at Doleli chief's camp in Igembe North, Kindiki directed the immediate establishment of an Anti-Stock Theft unit camp at Lororo along the Meru-Isiolo border.
He said a special investigative team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has been constituted to probe the Sunday morning killing of the former MCA.
Kaliunga, who served as a councillor and later MCA, was shot dead by bandits while pursuing stolen animals.
On Monday, several MCAs from the Meru county assembly led by their speaker Ayub Bundi condoled with the family as they urged the Interior ministry to take stern action to end the menace.
They asked for immediate transfer of all officers within Igembe North claiming they failed to act swiftly in repelling the bandits and recover stolen animals that left Kaliunga dead.
On Monday truckloads of police officers were seen heading to the banditry-prone area as Kindiki addressed the insecurity that has become a thorn in the flesh for the Nyambene region.
Last weekend, two people were killed and one critically injured by bandits, a county ranger was also shot dead a two weeks ago while trying to recover stolen animals.k