Murkomen orders bandits to surrender guns or face forceful disarmament
CS Kipchumba Murkomen said the government is offering a brief window for suspects to surrender firearms to police officers without facing arrest.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged individuals involved in banditry and those holding illegal firearms to surrender them voluntarily, promising education and empowerment opportunities in return, even as the government prepares for a fresh and forceful security operation.
Addressing journalists at the Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner’s office in Iten ahead of the Jukwaa La Usalama security tour, Murkomen said the government is offering a brief window for suspects to surrender firearms to police officers without facing arrest.
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"If you own a firearm, we are giving you an opportunity in the shortest time possible to present it to police officers,” he said on Friday.
He said those who surrender will be assisted to return to school, especially since many are still of school-going age. He pledged support in enrolling them in technical institutions to equip them with skills.
“I am ready, working with relevant agencies, to take to technical schools those who surrender their firearms so that they acquire skills to empower themselves,” he said.
Murkomen added, “Some of these people are of school-going age. Instead of engaging in crime, we will give them scholarships to get skills that they can afford to take care of their lives.”
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen (fourth-left) with police and county officials in Elgeyo Marakwet County during Jukwaa La Usalama security tour on July 25, 2025. (Photo: MINA)
However, the CS warned that security agencies are preparing a renewed and tough operation to flush out those who ignore the opportunity and continue with criminal activity.
“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 urged suspects to embrace peace, lay down their weapons and take up pens instead. “They should therefore take this olive branch and choose peace by surrendering guns and taking pens instead.”
Murkomen further revealed that the government has credible intelligence on high-profile individuals in the region—including teachers, contractors, and politicians—who are aiding banditry by supplying weapons.
“We are aware of elements who are buying and supplying firearms; some of them are teachers, contractors, and politicians. The law will catch up with them.”
He called on those involved to surrender before law enforcement catches up with them. “I want to give them an olive branch, surrender to the police before it's too late.”
Murkomen was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, Deputy Inspector General of Police - APS Gilbert Masengeli, MPs Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North), Timothy Toroitich (Marakwet West), Caroline Ngelechei (Woman Rep), Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan, County Assembly Speaker Lawi Kibire, and several MCAs.
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