Meru County Woman Representative Karambu Kailemia has urged the national government to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Meru’s northern grazing zone and intensify operations against bandits, saying repeated livestock raids and killings have left women and children bearing the heaviest burden.

Speaking while defending her development record and reaffirming support for William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, she said the government must move beyond statements and take decisive military-style action against armed raiders hiding in forested areas.

“We need action because we are tired of deaths and livestock being stolen. Let them bomb all the hideouts. The same way bandits were fought in West Pokot, Baringo and Kerio Valley should be the same approach used in Meru,” she said.

Her remarks come as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently announced that security agencies, including about 400 police and intelligence officers, had been deployed in Meru, Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia under a multi-agency operation targeting cattle rustling and illegal firearms.

CS Murkomen said the government would not relent until armed gangs are dismantled and normalcy restored in the affected regions.

Kailemia questioned the slow recovery of stolen livestock, saying it was unacceptable that hundreds of animals could be driven away without security agencies tracing them.

“I am amused how cattle rustlers appear more intelligent than police officers. How comes more than 200 cows are stolen and never recovered?” she asked, while insisting that affected families must be compensated, injured victims supported in hospital and stolen cattle recovered.

The legislator said most victims of the attacks are households where women and children are left vulnerable after breadwinners are killed, adding that the humanitarian impact of insecurity remains severe across affected villages.

At the same time, she defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s economic agenda, saying the government is working to put money into farmers’ pockets and improve agricultural value chains.

She said she had engaged President Ruto on the need to support milk farmers with cooling equipment to help preserve milk and reduce post-harvest losses.

“The government is doing everything possible to put money into farmers’ pockets. Give us time and be patient,” she said.

On health care, Ms Kailemia said rising cancer cases in Meru had become a major concern, arguing that many families cannot afford treatment and calling for the upgrading of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital to offer specialised services comparable to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

“Cancer has become a menace in Meru. Many families cannot afford treatment and this is why I support upgrading Meru Level 5 so that it can offer specialised treatment,” she said.

She also linked her leadership approach to the legacy of her late father, saying he championed equal treatment and education for all children regardless of background.

The woman representative further expressed confidence of retaining her seat in the next election, citing projects she said have directly benefited residents, including scholarships, water piping programmes, tanks, grants to table-banking groups and desks for schools.

She urged residents not to be swayed by opposition leaders, saying her focus remains on supporting vulnerable families and bright children, while also calling for greater support for women seeking leadership positions.

“Let us support fellow women in leadership. I am ready to mentor anyone who wants to vie for any political seat,” she said.