This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
On September 24, 2019, Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor Alex Tolgos assured residents that the disarmament exercise, set to start next Tuesday, would be peaceful.
County security team and political leaders have been holding barazas to quell fears that force would be used in the disarmament. The aim of the barazas is to ensure the disarmament exercise takes place smoothly, said county commissioner Ahmed Omar.
Security agencies estimate that at least 2,000 illegal firearms are in the hands of civilians in the county, responsible for rising banditry cases. An amnesty has been extended for those holding the guns to return them by end of September.
Some locals have expressed support for the disarmament exercise. Philemon Leitoi, a cleric from Baringo County, said the region would only know peace after guns have been taken from civilians. "A disarmament operation conducted in 2000 gave us 15 years of peace," said the Reverend Leitoi.
