The National Police Service (NPS) has launched an operation in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties to end militia activities hours after suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera County abducted five chiefs.
The special security operation is targeting the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militia, who are reportedly responsible for a series of cross-border criminal activities in the region.
In a statement on Monday, February 3, the NPS announced that Operation Ondoa Jangili aims to flush out OLA criminal elements hiding within the two counties, specifically in the Sololo, Moyale, North Horr, and Merti sub-counties and the surrounding areas.
“The National Police Service has today, February 3, 2025, officially launched a special security operation dubbed ‘Operation Ondoa Jangili’ to flush out hideouts used by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) within Marsabit and Isiolo counties,” NPS stated.
(Left to Right) General Service Unit Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, DCI Director Amin Mohammed and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja during a press briefing in Nairobi on December 4 at Harambee house.
Ministry of Interior
The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) is an armed opposition group primarily active in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region. The militia is said to be exploiting familial and cultural ties between the Borana people of Kenya and the Oromo of Ethiopia to infiltrate and conceal themselves within local communities.
According to the NPS, their operations in these areas have included illegal arms and narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, dealing in contraband goods, conducting cross-border incursions, illegal mining, instigating tribal conflicts, and kidnapping for ransom.
“Therefore, pursuant to the National Police Service’s mandate to protect life and property and preserve peace, special teams of the National Police Service have officially launched the first phase of Operation Ondoa Jangili within Marsabit and Isiolo counties to flush out OLA criminal elements hiding in Isiolo, Moyale, North Horr, Merti sub-counties, and the surrounding areas,” the NPS said.
Historically, the OLA has been involved in various conflicts in the region, including the Turbi massacre in 2005, which resulted in notable loss of life and heightened tensions between local communities.
While the operation was officially launched Monday, intensified security actions targeting the militia in the region started this January 3.
Authorities urged residents of the affected sub-counties to stay calm, maintain their daily routines, and cooperate with security forces, who pledged to protect the community and its property during the operation.
The operation was launched by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohammed on Monday, February 3, 2025.
The intensified police crackdown comes even as the government is now tasked with rescuing five chiefs abducted by suspected Al-Shaabab militants.
The chiefs were travelling from Wargadud to Elwak when they were ambushed by Bamba Owla and Ires Suki. The group was en route to a meeting ahead of President William Ruto’s scheduled tour of the Northeastern region.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli inspecting a guard of honour during the launch of Operesheni ‘Ondoa Jangili’ on Monday, February 3, 2025.
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NPS