PREMIUM Residents link military-style guard in Turkana villages to petroleum revival Fearful residents claim their villages have effectively been turned into militarised zones. Turkana 29 min ago Listen

He said the current security operation is now concentrated in vulnerable villages across the South Lokichar Basin, where many households are struggling to survive on the few livestock left after repeated raids and prolonged drought.

Following an intensified security operation launched last month by the Special Operations Group, residents claim their villages have effectively been turned into militarised zones, with armoured personnel carriers patrolling communities, movement tightly monitored and growing anxiety over whether the operation is aimed at protecting people or safeguarding future petroleum investments.

While the government says the operation is targeting insecurity and livestock theft, locals allege the crackdown is aimed at securing oil fields ahead of renewed extraction.