When a major wildfire broke out in Kenya’s Turkana South National Reserve, Soldiers from the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) were there to contain the blaze and save valuable land, property and lives.
The multiagency fire response in January 2025 also included the Kenya Wildlife Service, General Service Unit, National Parks Service and the Anti Stock Theft Unit.
The response was just the latest achievement by OMU, which was launched in 2023 to address banditry in the North Rift and Eastern regions. Of particular concern was a rise in clashes among heavily armed pastoralist militias sometimes termed “cattle warlords” who steal livestock and terrorize communities.
During OMU’s first year, pastoralist violence dropped by 50%, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project. “The operation has been characterized by dusk-to-dawn curfews, tracking of militias, and the seizure of stolen livestock,” ACLED reported in 2024.
The region also recorded a 60% drop in cattle rustling between February 2023 and the end of 2024, the Ministry of Interior reported. In December 2024, a sting operation recovered 172 illegal firearms and more than 10,000 stolen livestock. The operation led to the arrest and prosecution of 250 suspects.
“The security situation in the North Rift has significantly improved, thanks to the efforts of this multi-agency approach,” the Ministry of Interior said. “Security officers on the ground have successfully disarmed hundreds of bandits, dismantled their hideouts in the rugged terrain, and restored stability to affected communities.”
The KDF also is working to restore civilian life to normal in the region. The government set aside 100 million Kenyan shillings to renovate and reopen schools closed due to the violence. The KDF is leading the effort and 26 schools have reopened, allowing 4,000 children to return to school, The Star in Kenya reported.
“While we celebrate the progress made, 13 schools remain closed and pupils relocated to other schools,” the Ministry of Interior said. “We recognize that the journey to lasting peace is ongoing and as we move forward with Operation Maliza Uhalifu, we will continue to build on these gains for a safe North Rift and secure Kenya.”