Residents of Mutuati in Igembe North, Meru County, have taken to the streets in protest following a series of deadly bandit attacks that left five people dead and hundreds of livestock stolen.
The attacks occurred earlier this week, with bandits reportedly coming from a neighboring region. Among the victims were local herders and police reservists, while over 100 cattle were driven away by the attackers.
The violence has left the community in fear and significantly impacted their livelihoods, which heavily depend on livestock.
Local leaders, including area MP Julius Taitumu, have called for immediate action, expressing frustration over the recurring violence.
Taitumu emphasized the community’s urgent demand for better security, stating that promises of enhanced protection from government officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, have yet to be realized.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies, led by the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, have been deployed to track down the perpetrators, though residents remain skeptical, having witnessed similar attacks in the past without significant intervention.
As the protests continue, the residents are demanding more than just rhetoric from the authorities—they seek decisive action to restore peace and safeguard their lives and property.
