By Cyrus Ombati
Mandera, Kenya: A section of Mandera residents have surrendered 10 guns and more than 500 bullets following an ultimatum issued by the Government.
Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo had ordered residents to surrender weapons held illegally or face forceful disarmament.
The assorted weapons were handed over by residents to various chiefs in the area on Monday and Tuesday.
But local police bosses said the weapons surrendered were few compared to the estimates of illegal firearms held by residents.
“We know there are many others in the wrong hands. We urge them to surrender the weapons,” said North Eastern police boss Charlton Murithi.
The move by the local clans follows Kimaiyo’s order that they surrender their illegally held guns by today or face forceful disarmament.
“We order that those holding illegal firearms surrender them within the next three days or there will be forceful disarmament,” said Kimaiyo after a meeting on Sunday adding the operation will be extended to the neighbouring districts.
The meeting was held after a police officer and a civilian were killed in an attack by gunmen in a canteen at the local police station.
The police meeting with the locals was meant to plead with them to stop the fighting that has left at least four people dead and about 4,000 displaced in a week.
Kimaiyo said an additional 200 police officers will be deployed in the area to contain the situation and participate in the planned operation together with the military.
Insiders said the problem pits the two main clans- Degodia and Gareh living in the County.
Residents say the problem in the area is political and that some militiamen have taken advantage of the situation to terrrorise residents.
