Police have intensified the crackdown against members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Marsabit and Isiolo. This is amid reports that the Ethiopian renegade gang was threatening Kenyans it suspects of spying on them.

It also emerged that some members who have ditched OLA are living in fear and have sought refuge in Nairobi.

A security source said the former OLA members claim that they have been issued with death threats. “They are being held in safe houses here in the capital city as we explore ways of removing them from harm’s way,” said the source.

Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat said the war against OLA was unrelenting and that Kenyan police have recorded significant success since Operation Ondoa Jangili was launched in January in Marsabit and Isiolo counties.

“This is a sensitive operation; our Quick Response Team has recorded significant success in restoring law and order in the upper eastern region,” said Lagat, who declined to give an update on the number of suspects arrested so far.

The police boss over the weekend toured the region to assess the security situation. On Saturday, Lagat visited Badassa and Turbi Quick Response Unit (QRU) camps.

Lagat inspected various facilities within the camps and identified areas requiring improvement to align with the agenda of transforming police stations into centres of excellence.

The DIG urged the officers to remain vigilant in pursuit of the OLA criminals linked to insecurity in the two counties.

Local leaders expressed gratitude for the improved security and peaceful coexistence among communities since the camps’ establishment.

Lagat assured them that the police remain dedicated to ensuring the safety of all Kenyans, as mandated by the Constitution.

The operation to flush out OLA, which is linked to trafficking illegal arms and narcotics, engaging in human smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, conducting cross-border incursions, carrying out illegal mining, and instigating tribal conflicts and kidnaps for ransom, was launched in January.

OLA has its roots in neighbouring Ethiopia, where it is considered to be a terrorist group. For the last four months, police have been hunting down members believed to be hiding in Sololo, North Horr, and Merti sub-counties.

The DIG later on Sunday made a visit to Marsabit County Police Headquarters where he inspected key police facilities, including the Sub-County Headquarters, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices, and Marsabit Police Station.

Several structural and logistical improvements were identified, and Lagat pledged to implement them as he engaged the officers, addressing various concerns including welfare, mental health, and financial management.