Also known as: ASTU
Anti-Stock Theft Unit — security agency engaged in livestock theft recovery and banditry operations in northern Kenya, with officers killed in September 2026 Isiolo ambush.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
… Leaders had said that ten days ago security officers drawn from the elite General Service Unit and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit reportedly opened fire, killing scores of animals in Waso Ward in Samburu County. …
Murkomen rules out compensation for livestock killed in Samburu operationCapital News
… The government has deployed specialized units including the General Service Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit and Special Operations Group, alongside National Police Reservists. …
Murkomen admits security forces lack resources to sustain operations in Samburu, Meru, IsioloThe Standard
… He asked the committee to address the adequacy of deployment, operational readiness and logistical capacity of the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), National Police Reservists (NPRs) and other security agencies, including the functionality of security installations and response capab …
Senators raise concerns over insecurity in Northern KenyaThe Standard
… had been stolen from Meru and Isiolo counties.Murkomen said security camps had been established in Magado and Lii training camps in Meru to create a buffer against banditry and cattle rustling. “Equally, specialised units, including the General Service Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Unit …
Murkomen: Marginalisation, lack of development fuel banditryThe Standard
… Waso ward.Samburu residents at the scene where livestock were killed during a security operation. [Michael Saitoti, Standard] The September 19 operation, which was to tame cases of banditry and cattle rustling, involved the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit …
MPs summon Murkomen, Kanja over Samburu livestock killingsCitizen Digital
… Rightfully and lawfully, security officers drawn from the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) pursued the suspected bandits with the purpose of recovering stolen livestock and illegal firearms. …
KAIKAI'S KICKER: Samburu - Dead cows, dead objectivesThe Standard
… Following attacks along the Samburu Isiolo border, including an attack in Gotu where bandits killed two Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers, a police reservist and two civilians and stole police firearms, a multi-agency team of GSU and ASTU was deployed to Samburu East. …
Killing livestock should never be part of security operationsThe Standard
… The September 19 operation, which was to tame cases of banditry and cattle rustling, involved General Service Unit (GSU) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU).During the operation, officers allegedly shot and killed 415 goats and 102 cattle belonging to the Lekilwai, Lekalantula, …
Samburu residents want police to account for livestock killed in banditry operationThe Standard
… The operation started on Thursday last week, a day after bandits suspected to be from Samburu East killed five people including two police officers attached to Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gotu, Isiolo County after ambushing a vehicle they were traveling in. …
Isiolo, Meru residents back Samburu security operationCitizen Digital
… Tensions escalated after an Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) team tracking stolen livestock was attacked in the Gotu area of Isiolo County. …
Security operation in Samburu sparks protests over killing of hundreds of livestockInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament on Wednesday that there will be no compensation for livestock killed during a multi-agency security operation in Samburu County's Waso Ward, disputing regional leaders' claims that over 700 animals died in the incident.
7 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament on Wednesday that there will be no compensation for livestock killed during a multi-agency security operation in Samburu County's Waso Ward, disputing regional leaders' claims that over 700 animals died in the incident.
7 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament that security personnel and equipment deployed to tackle banditry in Samburu, Meru and Isiolo are inadequate for sustained operations, citing difficult terrain, poor roads, limited communication networks and long distances between security installations as constraints. Between June and September, 14 people were killed and 17 injured, while security agencies recovered 2,395 illegally held firearms and 3,221 stolen livestock in the affected areas.
7 October 2026 · Capital News →
Senators have raised concerns over cattle rustling, armed banditry and inter-community conflicts in Northern Kenya, citing recent deaths in Isiolo county during a livestock recovery operation. They are urging the Senate National Security Committee to investigate the security situation in Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu and neighbouring counties and assess the adequacy of security deployment and intelligence coordination.
7 October 2026 · The Standard →
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament that marginalisation and lack of development are major drivers of banditry in northern Kenya counties including Samburu, Baringo, Turkana, Isiolo, Marsabit and West Pokot. He said security operations alone cannot end banditry unless underlying causes such as poor road networks, communication networks, schools and water infrastructure are addressed.
7 October 2026 · The Standard →
The Inspector General of Police and Interior Cabinet Secretary have been summoned to Parliament to answer questions about the killing of over 700 livestock by police during a security operation in Samburu. Samburu Governor Leti Lelelit presented a petition seeking compensation for the affected families.
3 October 2026 · The Standard →
An opinion piece by Linus Kaikai criticizes a multi-agency security operation in Samburu conducted in response to bandit violence, alleging that police shot dead large numbers of livestock during the operation. The Samburu Governor reported 764 cows, 116 goats, and 83 donkeys killed.
1 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A security operation in Samburu East that killed livestock while pursuing stolen animals and illegal firearms has prompted questions about whether legitimate security action becomes collective punishment of innocent residents and their livestock.
1 October 2026 · The Standard →
Residents of Samburu East have petitioned the National Assembly to summon the Inspector General of Police to account for the loss of 517 livestock during a September 19 security operation in Waso ward involving the GSU and Anti-Stock Theft Unit. Officers allegedly shot and killed 415 goats and 102 cattle, and wounded two residents.
28 September 2026 · The Standard →
Leaders and residents from Isiolo and Meru counties have called on the government to continue the ongoing security operation in parts of Samburu county targeting bandits and cattle rustlers, pushing back against calls from Samburu county leaders to suspend the multi-agency operation.
27 September 2026 · The Standard →
A multi-agency security operation in Samburu County aimed at recovering stolen livestock and curbing banditry resulted in the killing of hundreds of livestock, triggering protests and calls for investigation from local leaders and residents. The operation followed violent incidents across the Samburu-Isiolo border in which two ASTU officers, a National Police Reservist, and two civilians were killed.
25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Suspected bandits launched a daytime ambush in Nyachis, Isiolo County on Wednesday, shooting a National Police Reservist officer escorting Safaricom technicians to a telecommunications site. The attack follows a raid in the Gotu area a week earlier in which bandits killed five people including two Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers, an NPR officer, and two civilians.
23 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has condemned a series of attacks and killings targeting police officers across Kenya, saying the deaths undermine public safety and confidence in policing. IPOA called on the National Police Service to strengthen policing strategies and ensure officers are supported by evidence-based approaches.
23 September 2026 · Capital News →
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has opened an investigation into the death of Dennis Aremo Osiemo, who died while in custody at Narumoru Police Station on September 20, 2026. Osiemo had been arrested by DCI officers on September 18 in connection with an assault case, and an autopsy will take place with IPOA investigators and his family present.
23 September 2026 · The Standard →
Dairy farmers in Lurambi Constituency, Kakamega County, are reporting an increase in cattle theft that is undermining their livelihoods and years of investment, with claims that criminal syndicates are working with residents to steal cattle and dispose of them through butcheries. Farmers are calling for intensified surveillance and investigations from security agencies.
19 September 2026 · The Standard →
An armed bandit attack in Gotu, Isiolo County killed five people—two police officers, a National Police Reservist, and two civilians—while pursuing cattle theft suspects. Political leaders including the Governor and Senator called on the Interior Cabinet Secretary and Inspector General to intensify security operations in the area.
18 September 2026 · The Standard →
Five people, including two Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers and a National Police Reserve member, were killed when armed bandits ambushed a security team pursuing suspected livestock thieves in Gotu, Isiolo County on Wednesday. The attack has heightened concerns over cattle rustling and banditry in the region.
16 September 2026 · Capital News →
Two Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers, a National Police Reserve member, and two civilians were killed after an armed group ambushed a team pursuing suspected livestock thieves in Gotu, Isiolo County on Wednesday morning. The attack has prompted renewed calls for stronger security measures in the area.
16 September 2026 · The Standard →
KANU chairman Gideon Moi has called for immediate government intervention and security deployment in Gotu, Isiolo County, after five people—two ASTU police officers, a National Police Reserve member, and two civilians—were killed in a bandit ambush on Wednesday. The group was pursuing suspected livestock thieves when attacked, with assailants also stealing livestock; Moi urged security agencies to work with local leaders to restore calm and prevent retaliation.
16 September 2026 · The Standard →
Police in Butere, Kakamega County, have stepped up operations against two gangs allegedly terrorising residents through petty crimes, cattle theft, and house burglaries. The OCPD said detectives are closing in on main suspects, with the operation extending to Mumias.
14 September 2026 · The Standard →
A 45-year-old man, Zacharia Gakinya, was attacked by armed goons near a polling station in Rurii Ward during Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election and later died from his injuries. His family is demanding justice for his death.
19 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Hundreds of Ol Kalou residents escorted sealed ballot boxes and election forms from polling stations to the constituency tallying centre at Ol Kalou Senior School following the close of polling. Officials began receiving and verifying results from the constituency's 114 polling stations, with the Returning Officer expected to consolidate results before announcing the final outcome.
17 July 2026 · Capital News →
Long queues formed at polling stations in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election after slow biometric verification using the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) delayed voting, with some voters reporting the process took up to 30 minutes per person.
16 July 2026 · Capital News →
Voting is underway in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, a high-stakes contest seen as the first major political test in Mt. Kenya since former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's split with President William Ruto. Nine candidates are running, but the race has narrowed to a two-horse contest between the ruling UDA and Gachagua's DCP, with over 1,000 police officers deployed across 114 polling stations.
16 July 2026 · Capital News →
Supporters of leading candidates gathered outside the tallying centre in Ol Kalou on Thursday night, singing and dancing while awaiting the official declaration of results in the closely contested parliamentary by-election. The IEBC had not declared a winner by publication time, though provisional results continued to arrive from polling stations across the constituency.
16 July 2026 · The Standard →
Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of overseeing a security operation aimed at disrupting Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, alleging the deployment of more than 2,000 police officers is intended to influence the outcome of the vote.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's National Police Service has deployed more than 1,000 officers, four water cannons and specialized tactical units to secure Thursday's Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, amid allegations of voter bribery and isolated violence. Inspector General Douglas Kanja said the operation aims to guarantee a peaceful, free and credible election.
14 July 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki have mourned students who died in a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, with police reporting 16 dead and 74 hospitalized as investigations continue.
28 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, claimed 16 lives and hospitalized 74 students in the early hours of Thursday. The affected dormitory block housed 220 students drawn from Grade 10, Form 3, and Form 4.
28 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Turkana community leaders in Isiolo County have criticized the Government of Kenya for inadequate welfare and lack of insurance cover for National Police Reservists, who frequently face bandits but struggle with medical expenses when injured and whose families receive no compensation when killed on duty. The leaders, speaking at a burial of an NPR officer shot dead in Isiolo, called on Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen to extend medical insurance and family compensation schemes to NPR officers similar to those announced for regular police officers.
20 May 2026 · The Standard →
An opinion piece argues that cattle rustling's impact extends beyond missing livestock to disrupt families, women, and children's education and safety, with vulnerable populations bearing the brunt of conflict escalation.
1 May 2026 · The Standard →