Isiolo leaders threaten to withdraw support for President Ruto
Isiolo leaders threaten to withdraw support for President Ruto
Isiolo leaders from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have threatened to withdraw their support for President William Ruto in 2027 over prolonged banditry in the region.
Led by Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan, the leaders on Sunday, September 20, warned that the ruling party risks losing the backing of pastoralist communities unless the government moves quickly to end the deadly attacks.
Some went further, saying they would abandon the region’s campaign for Ruto’s second term if the security situation does not improve.
They directed their frustration at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, saying repeated appeals from their offices and Parliament had not resulted in action against the 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.
“With the former Interior Minister, 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.”
Governor Guyo accused security agencies of neglecting local communities, noting that the insecurity was not limited to Isiolo, as residents in Turkana County were also raising alarms.
He recalled that a former Interior CS would visit affected areas whenever such attacks happened, a gesture he said reassured residents that their government was at work.
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Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Boyana said the leaders had repeatedly raised the matter with CS Murkomen, insisting the worsening security was not a result of their failure.
She warned that if the government could not guarantee their safety, residents would organize themselves and confront the attackers, adding that families were tired of burying loved ones.
Their warning comes after five people, including two police officers, were killed on Wednesday in a bandit attack that saw hundreds of livestock driven away.
President Ruto has maintained that his administration will deal ruthlessly with banditry and cattle rustling, repeatedly warning bandits in Laikipia, Samburu and Kerio Valley to surrender illegal firearms or face military and police action.
Through the Interior Ministry’s Operation Maliza Uhalifu, multi-agency teams have recovered thousands of illegal weapons and reopened schools and markets, while the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have opened access roads in Laikipia and Baringo for patrols.
“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.
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