This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On June 5, 2020, a community meeting in Narok South took an unexpected turn when a 13-year-old boy, Dennis Lang'at, voluntarily surrendered his bow and arrows to the government.
Lang'at's decision came after a series of tribal clashes in the area, which had left nine people dead and 13 others seriously injured.
According to Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya, Lang'at had been defending his family after their house was torched during the clashes.
However, Natembeya asked the community what they were teaching the 13-year-old boy to become in future, and offered him sponsored education by the government.
Lang'at's mother, Roseline Jepkor, expressed gratitude that her son was alive, despite being castigated by some for his actions.
As part of measures to restore peace, Maasais and Kipsigis living in Narok South have surrendered 526 bows and 1,120 arrows to the government.
Narok South Deputy County Commissioner Felix Kisalu thanked the locals for returning the illegal weapons, but warned that only police officers are allowed to carry weapons.
Kisalu gave the communities three more days to surrender the weapons, stating that those who fail to comply will face the full wrath of the law.
