Five residents from Sagat, Kasemoi, and Marich sub-locations in Tot Division, Kerio Valley Sub-County, have voluntarily handed over illegal firearms to security agencies as part of an ongoing disarmament exercise.
The surrendered cache included three AK-47 rifles, each fitted with an empty magazine, one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing eight rounds of ammunition, and another AK-47 rifle with a magazine holding five rounds. Security officers confirmed that all the weapons have been secured and will undergo further administrative processes.
Authorities praised the decision by the residents, describing it as a bold step toward restoring peace in the troubled Kerio Valley region, which has for years been plagued by recurrent banditry and cattle rustling. Local leaders and community elders were also commended for their role in encouraging residents to embrace the voluntary surrender of arms.
Security officials have appealed to other residents still in possession of illegal firearms to follow suit. They emphasized that cooperation from the public remains crucial in preventing violence and ensuring long-term peace. Citizens have also been urged to provide information that could assist security agencies in identifying and neutralizing threats related to illegal arms.
The voluntary handover comes at a time when the government is intensifying its crackdown on the proliferation of small arms in volatile regions. Recently, the Inspector General of Police prohibited the possession of firearms in 13 designated areas within Marsabit County. These locations had earlier been declared security disturbed and dangerous by the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
Residents in the affected zones have been ordered to surrender their firearms to nearby police stations, posts, or government offices. Importantly, the directive clarified that the surrender is for safe custody and not permanent confiscation. Once the security situation improves, the government will return the firearms to their rightful owners.
These measures form part of a wider security strategy aimed at curbing inter-communal conflicts and improving safety across the North Rift and northern Kenya. By encouraging voluntary compliance, authorities hope to reduce the circulation of illegal arms while building stronger ties with local communities.
The recent surrender in Kerio Valley is viewed as a promising step forward, signaling growing cooperation between security agencies and residents in pursuit of lasting peace and stability in the region.
