Residents of Meru County have welcomed the government’s plan to establish a police training camp along the Isiolo border, saying the move will help improve security and curb cattle rustling in the region.
Speaking on Friday in Meru town, Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma said the county government had allocated 600 acres of land for the establishment of a police training college and field training school.
Mutuma noted that pastoralist communities in the region have suffered major losses due to insecurity and banditry over the past three years.
He said more than 11,000 head of cattle had been stolen during attacks along the Isiolo, Laikipia and Samburu borders, prompting intensified security operations in the affected areas.
The governor expressed confidence that the proposed police training college would not only strengthen security but also spur economic growth and development in border areas.
“Once the camp is established, we expect land value along the borders to rise and local residents to benefit from new business opportunities,” he said.
Mutuma added that a multi-agency security team had already been deployed to enhance security along the Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia borders.
Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu also welcomed the project, saying the commencement of police recruit training in the area would accelerate infrastructure development and restore peace in the region.
Taitumu said leaders were committed to ensuring sanity and stability along the borders and praised the government for taking what he described as a bold and strategic step towards improving security in the northern grazing zones.
Residents from Buuri Sub-county also supported the move, saying improved security would help families resume their normal lives without fear.
A resident, David Munene, said many households had lost livestock and family members to bandit attacks, leaving families impoverished and hopeless.
Munene added that improved security would also enable schools located along the border areas to operate peacefully and without disruption.
By Muguongo Judy
