Police operation nets 19 illegal guns, as curfew enforced

Holders of illegal firearms have been asked to take advantage of the amnesty before the forceful disarmament exercise begins. [File, Standard]

The ongoing security operation has led to the recovery of 19 unregistered firearms and 53 live ammunition.

Speaking to The Saturday Standard, County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa said the firearms were recovered within Tiaty and some parts of Baringo North.

Jaldesa said the 21-day operation that started on June 8, after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i visited Kerio valley, was meant to flush out bandits and recover illegal firearms.

The CS issued the order a day after Regional Commissioner Maalim Mohamed announced a dusk to dawn curfew in parts of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot. This is after the continued loss of lives along the belt after failed dialogue.

“Most of the guns were voluntary surrendered through our chiefs and assistant chiefs," said the administrator.

However, Jaldesa revealed that suspected bandits who were on police watch list were yet to surrender their illegal firearms and that the next step is to forcefully disarm them.

“We will use force for the persons who are profiled, we appeal to them to return the guns but when we have information we go after them with force,” he said.

Jaldesa said the region has a high number of unregistered guns, which they intend to recover before the end of operation.

He said some 70 people have been arrested in connection to violation of dusk to dawn curfew, with six vehicles and eight motorcycles confiscated.

“The arrest of those who violated curfew orders were made since the beginning of June 7, to date and charged accordingly. Everyone should comply and adhere to the curfew order, which is important to enable our officers to move in and do their work swiftly,” he added.

Holders of illegal firearms have been asked to take advantage of the amnesty before the forceful disarmament exercise begins.

He revealed that one suspected bandit was arrested during the operation in Loruk, within Baringo North after he was found being in possession of an AK47 firearm. He was arraigned at Kabarnet law court this week.

In June, a special Deputy County commissioner Bernard George was appointed in the troubled Kerio Valley belt to help in taming the insecurities within the region.