Illegal firearm holders in Kerio Valley given 24 hours to surrender
Recently, four people, including two pupils, were killed in separate bandit attacks in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties. A multi-agency security team, comprising the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the General Service Unit (GSU), is actively pursuing the suspects.
Individuals in possession of illegal firearms in Tot, Kerio Valley, have been given a 24-hour ultimatum to surrender them to authorities.
Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat issued the directive on Friday during a visit to the area, warning that security officers would go after those who fail to comply.
“Anybody who has an illegal firearm, who is not supposed to own a firearm, should return the gun to authorities. If not, we will be coming for them. Return the guns to chiefs, elders, or the National Police Reservists,” Lagat said.
“If they will not surrender the guns, we will go for them whether they like it or not,” he added.
Lagat also announced intensified security operations to flush out criminals disrupting peace in the region
He suspended all local security meetings conducted by village elders, saying this would allow security personnel to carry out their work more effectively.
The DIG visited Tot following a rise in banditry-related attacks. He held a security meeting with representatives from Kerio Valley, Pokot Central, and Tiaty West subcounties, where he noted that government interventions last year had led to a 70 percent reduction in banditry and crime.
However, he expressed concern over a recent surge in attacks over the past three weeks, during which several people lost their lives.
“I want to warn the criminals, some of whom are known to us. They are large, and we are going to deploy a multi-agency team with one sole purpose to flush them out,” he said.
“As a government, we want to arrest them in the shortest time possible. I want to tell them to come out or we will go for them. We are not going to allow very few people to disturb the peaceful ecosystem we have in this place,” Lagat added.
He urged the local community to cooperate with security officers in identifying and tracking down the criminals.
Recently, four people, including two pupils, were killed in separate bandit attacks in Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties. A multi-agency security team, comprising the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the General Service Unit (GSU), is actively pursuing the suspects.
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