Murkomen forms second Operation Maliza Uhalifu in Laikipia

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen with top security chiefs led by IG Douglas Kanja tour Baringo county in the awake of the recent banditry attacks, March 26, 2025. /NPS

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has declared a full-scale security operation at Mukokodo forest to flush out bandits in Laikipia county.

Murkomen has also announced the establishment of a new police command, the second Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) in the county.

He has further put on notice politicians aiding banditry and fueling insecurity in Kerio Valley, warning that they will face full force of the law.

Murkomen said OMU 2 will have its command centre in Kirimon and tasked with dealing with the emerging crimes in the troubled areas and restore peace and normalcy.

The new operation will cover Samburu, Laikipia, Isiolo and parts of Meru counties.

It is a joint operation of the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to deal with banditry and restore security targeting North Rift counties of Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu and Elgeyo Marakwet.

The officers will be working closely with the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), NPRs and Rangers.

“We are separating command centres. We are setting a new command center at Kirimo which will complement Chemalingot base in Operation Maliza Uhalifu,” Murkomen said.

OMU 2 will  deal with emerging security trends that have a spill-over to neighboruing counties.

“We still have a problem in Mukokodo forest, parts of Samburu East and Maralal. We are enhancing our operations to restore peace. We are carrying out one-off operation to flush out the criminals,” he said.

Murkomen also directed that NPRs and Rangers are not answerable to politicians, and therefore should not be turned to their personal militias.

The CS made the announcement at a security meeting at Kirimon National Youth Service training camp, stating that the new base will complement Chemolingot command base in Operation Maliza Uhalifu in Kerio Valley.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen accompanied by top security commanders arrives for a security meeting at Kirimon National Youth Service training camp in Baringo county, March 26, 2025. /NPS

He visited the disturbed county that has witnessed isolated security incidents lately, committing to restore calm with the deployment of the multi-agency security team.

The first OMU command centre is at Chemolingot, Tiaty in Baringo county, aimed at eliminating the banditry activities in the North Rift.

Murkomen said the operation will incorporate the use of technology, revealing that the ministry is in the process of acquiring modern advanced equipment with more endurance and capabilities.

“We are also investing in aerial surveillance technology, night vision equipment, offensive and protective equipment,” CS said.

He commended the public for continued support in security operations and Borana and Lewa Ranch for aerial surveillance support.

Murkomen waded into the police welfare support and mental health, including developing a new strategy in distribution of resources (fuel) with special attention to operation areas and the NPR's command structure.

On Wednesday, Murkomen visited Baringo county in the awake of the recent banditry attacks and held a meeting with the multiagency security team involved in the ongoing operation.

He was briefed on the milestones the operation has achieved.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen with top security chiefs led by IG Douglas Kanja tour Baringo county in the awake of the recent banditry attacks, March 26, 2025. /NPS

The CS commended the team for their commitment, cooperation and discipline they have showed in the operation, even as he reiterated the government to support OMU.

“Operation Maliza Uhalifu has done tremendous work and commendable progress. Peace and normalcy has been restored in many areas and economic activities have resumed,” the CS noted.

He affirmed that the government is committed to restore peace in areas that still remain problematic.

“There is one area that is disturbed in Baringo county that we are dealing with and already stolen livestock have already been recovered,” Murkomen said on Wednesday.

“Children are going back to school and locals are going about their business except the one disturbed area that our security agencies are pacifying.”

Murkomen was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, DIG Eliud Lagat, senior commanders, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan and top security officials from Samburu, Laikipia, Marsabit, Meru and Isiolo counties.