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Kindiki: 43 guns returned since Rift Valley security operation began

He said that 136 rounds of ammunition have also been voluntarily returned.

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by MAUREEN KINYANJUI

News01 March 2023 - 07:39
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In Summary


  • The CS reiterated that the government will recover all illegal guns in the region and other parts of the country.
  • The National Police Service had urged other residents to surrender illegal firearms.
Interior Cabinet secretary Kithure Kindiki speaks when he appeared before the senate security committee to answer questions on March.1st.2023

Forty-three guns have been surrendered to security authorities since the beginning of the security operations in parts of Rift Valley, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has said.

Kindiki on Wednesday revealed that 136 rounds of ammunition have also been voluntarily returned.

Also surrounded are two fragmented rifle grenades and three rocket-propelled grenades.

The CS reiterated that the government will recover all illegal guns in the region and other parts of the country.

"We will mop out all illegal guns in North Rift and other parts of the country, and don't ask me how," said Kindiki.

The surrendering of the riffles comes in the backdrop of the security operation that is underway in the North Rift region to contain the increased cases of banditry attacks.

The National Police Service had urged other residents to surrender illegal firearms.

The security operation against cattle rustling and banditry in the North Rift started on February 17, following the lapse of a three-day amnesty period for the return of illegally possessed guns.

The exercise is being conducted by a multi-agency team led by the Kenya Police and assisted by the Kenya Defence Forces.

Last month,  President William Ruto announced the start of a three-day voluntary disarmament exercise across six bandit-prone counties of Samburu, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo and Laikipia.

He said there would be no repercussions for those who will surrender illegal guns within the amnesty period.

CS Kindiki said marauding bandits and livestock rustling terrorists have brutally murdered over 100 civilians and 16 police officers in the Northern Rift Valley region.

As a result, the CS imposed a 30-day dusk-to-dawn curfew in some banditry-hit areas to set the pace for the operation.

The CS gazetted areas in six counties, including Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu, that would observe the curfew.

In the order, there shall be no public gatherings, processions, or movements, either alone or as a group, during the period of the curfew except as has been permitted in writing by the Inspector-General of the National Police Service

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