The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR or the Commission) condemns the shooting of livestock and use of extra judicial means by security officers zcarrying out the Operation Maliza Uhalifu Security Operation in the North Rift Region.
The Commission has been, and continues to closely monitor, the security situation in the region, which has been marked by recurrent banditry attacks. These incidents have resulted in serious and widespread human rights violations, including violations of the right to life, the right to education, the right to security of the person, the destruction of property, the displacement of communities, and the disruption of access to essential services. These violations disproportionately affect persons in vulnerable situations, including women, children, and older persons.
Through its advisories, the Commission has consistently called upon the relevant security agencies and responsible State authorities to develop and implement effective, coordinated, and rights-compliant strategies aimed at bringing a durable and sustainable end to insecurity in the region.
The On-going Disarmament Exercise amid Banditry Attacks:
The Commission commends the Government for the ongoing disarmament exercise being undertaken by multi-agency security teams in the North Rift counties, aimed at recovering illegally held firearms from civilians. However, the Commission expresses concern over the deteriorating security situation within the Turkwel Belt, encompassing the Takaywa, Kainuk, Ompolion, and Kakong areas, where there has been a notable increase in incidents of banditry and cattle rustling. These incidents have resulted in displacement of communities, loss of life, and significant loss of livestock.
The Commission has documented reports of the killing of livestock in the Silale area, where more than 70 cattle, 10 camels, and 50 goats were allegedly killed on 26 January 2026 by the Special Operations Group (SOG), which is currently conducting disarmament operations in Tiaty Constituency, Baringo County. The Commission recognizes that the affected communities are predominantly pastoralist and depend almost entirely on livestock for their livelihoods. Consequently, the loss, theft, or killing of livestock has devastating socio-economic consequences, which are further exacerbated by the adverse effects of climate change currently affecting large parts of the North Rift region.
In the course of its situational analysis mission to Baringo County, the Commission was able to access and assess conditions in select areas of operation. However, efforts to achieve comprehensive coverage were constrained by stringent security protocols, particularly in locations designated as active security operation zones where civilian movement is restricted. Notwithstanding these limitations, the Commission documented several allegations of human rights violations. These include reported instances of excessive use of force by officers attached to the Special Operations Group during disarmament operations, affecting not only civilians but also government officials, notably local chiefs and their assistants. The Commission further received reports of destruction of property in Riongo, Naudo, and Silale; closure of marketplaces and water points in Nginyang, Riongo, Naudo, and Silale; and displacement of populations in Silale, Riongo, and Nginyang. These incidents raise serious human rights concerns warranting further investigation and appropriate remedial action.
The Commission further noted that the residents of the area have not filed any formal incident reports with the area police stations or senior NGAO officers due to fears of reprisals against them.
The two incidents have had, and continue to have, significant adverse effects on the affected communities, arising from documented violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Commission further observes that the areas referenced in this report are already disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change, including recurrent drought and food insecurity. These vulnerabilities are compounded by the fact that the majority of residents rely on pastoralism as their primary source of livelihood and way of life. In this context, any interventions undertaken by the Government must be responsive to these specific socio-economic and environmental realities, even as it pursues durable and long-term solutions. Such interventions should minimise disruption to livelihoods, prevent the escalation of criminal activity, and actively promote peaceful and harmonious coexistence among affected communities.
The Commission underscores that Article 19(2) of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) affirms that the purpose of recognising and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms is to preserve the dignity of individuals and communities, promote social justice, and facilitate the realisation of the full potential of all human beings.
Call to Action:
While reaffirming its full support for the Government’s ongoing efforts, through the security agencies, to restore peace and stability in the region, the Commission underscores the imperative that all such operations strictly comply with constitutional, legal, and international human rights standards. The Commission further reminds members of the public of their civic responsibility to uphold the rule of law and to promptly report any acts of lawlessness to the relevant authorities for appropriate action. In this regard, the Commission calls for the following actions:
1. The multi-agency security teams to ensure a holistic approach in the fight against insecurity including disarming the communities of the illegal firearms, repulsing the attacks by criminal elements, ensuring un-impeded access to services like education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance, market centres, grazing lands and water-points and to work closely with NGAO officials, the political leadership and CSOs to promote intra and inter community peace initiatives in the area.
2. The security teams conducting the operation to respect the right to property and freedom and security of the person pursuant to Articles 40 and 29 respectively and accordingly cautions that the on-going operation should not be used as a license by a section of the security teams to unleash punishment and occasion more harm to the already suffering communities in the area.
3. The security heads in the country and the region to find a sustainable approach against banditry by identifying the root cause of banditry and taking action against the sponsors and sealing loopholes that facilitate access to illegal firearms and ammunition by the residents and criminals.
4. The local community to step up and support the Government initiatives in disarmament including by surrendering illegal firearms and embracing community policing programs by reporting incidences of attacks and for prompt information sharing with the security agencies effective response in the prevention, response and resolution of insecurity in the area.
5. The Government to facilitate a human rights-based approach in the security operation entailing protection of the civilians from harm, continued enjoyment of human rights and limitation only be imposed, as of necessity and in conformity with the law, facilitate access to and monitoring of the operation by oversight agencies including KNCHR and IPOA among other measures to ensure transparency and accountability.
6. The Government should consider compensating civilians whose livestock were killed and those who lost their property.
KNCHR urges the public to continue reporting any Human Rights violations and concerns through the following channels: SMS: 22359, Email: complaint@knchr.org, WhatsApp: 0798 849 871 and Toll-Free Line: 0800 720 627
Claris Ogangah
Chairperson,
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights