This archive report was first published on 9 January 2020.
On January 8, 2020, the government collected 318 guns from residents in the Eastern region, who voluntarily returned them under an amnesty issued in October 2019.
According to Eastern Regional Commissioner Isaiah Nakoru, the bulk of the guns were surrendered in Isiolo and Marsabit counties, where bandit attacks had been reported in the past.
Mr. Nakoru commended the residents for having faith in the government's capability to provide security and for heeding the call to surrender the firearms.
“There is no need for residents to carry firearms because the government has assured them of security,” said Nakoru. “Moreover, it is unlawful to keep a firearm without permission from the government. Those holding the weapons illegally have shown remorse and returned them.”
Meanwhile, communities living in banditry-prone areas in the Rift Valley have been urged to cooperate with security agencies in an ongoing disarmament exercise.
Speaking to The Standard on Tuesday, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya said Baringo and Samburu counties currently lead in acts of cattle rustling, while Turkana and West Pokot counties are leading in the number of illegal firearms surrendered to the government.
