Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to banditry suspects and their sponsors while offering a final opportunity for peace and reintegration. Speaking at a press briefing in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, ahead of the Jukwaa La Usalama security tour, Murkomen announced a grace period for the surrender of illegal firearms.
“If you own an illegal firearm, we are giving you an opportunity in the shortest time possible to present it to police officers,” Murkomen stated.
The CS emphasized the government’s commitment to rehabilitate those who comply, particularly the youth. He said many of those involved in banditry are of school-going age, and the government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, is ready to take them back to school or enroll them in technical institutions.
“Instead of engaging in crime, we will give them scholarships to get skills that they can afford to take care of their lives,” he noted.
However, Murkomen warned that a ruthless security operation is in the pipeline, targeting those who refuse to surrender. “Those who insist that they must continue to be in banditry will have no one to blame. Our security agencies are going to deal with them firmly,” he said.
He further revealed that the government possesses credible intelligence implicating prominent individuals, including politicians, teachers, contractors, and civil servants, in financing and supplying weapons to bandits.
“We are aware of elements who are buying and supplying firearms. The law will catch up with them. I want to give them an olive branch surrender to the police before it’s too late,” he warned.
Murkomen was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, Deputy Inspector General of Police (APS) Gilbert Masengeli, area MPs, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan, County Assembly Speaker Lawi Kibire, and several MCAs.
With this bold and inclusive approach, the government aims to dismantle the banditry networks while offering a second chance for reform and reintegration into society.
