27 more firearms surrendered in Tot in Kerio Valley disarmament operation

Twenty-seven firearms have been voluntarily surrendered to police in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County, bringing the total number of weapons recovered under Operation Rudisha Bunduki to 232.

According to the National Police Service (NPS), the move is part of the ongoing disarmament campaign in the Kerio Valley, where 1,595 rounds of ammunition have also been collected so far.

The firearms, which included AK-47 and G3 rifles, were handed over through the cooperation of local community members and Peace Committees from Ketut, Chemwonyo, Kibaimwa, Mon, Chesuman, Kaben, and Endo locations.

The recovered weapons are now in safe custody as security agencies step up efforts to restore lasting peace in the region.

According to the NPS, the milestone reflects the goodwill and commitment of residents and peace stakeholders determined to end the cycle of violence that has affected the Kerio Valley for years.

The police service commended local leaders, elders, and residents for their role in encouraging the surrender, noting that voluntary disarmament remains a crucial step in reducing conflict and fostering stability in the region.

NPS further urged the public to continue supporting the government’s amnesty programme by surrendering any remaining illegal firearms and volunteering information that could help security agencies recover more weapons.

This development follows the September 23 surrender of fifteen AK-47 rifles and 77 rounds of ammunition, also in Tot, which were handed over with the assistance of Peace Committees in Ketut, Chemwonyo, Mon, Kiptumbur, Kibaimwa, Chechan, and Murukutwo locations. Those weapons were also placed in secure custody.

In an earlier statement, NPS said that the ongoing security operation continues to achieve “significant success” in areas such as Tot and Chesongoch, attributing the progress to growing community cooperation and trust between residents and security agencies.

NPS has urged members of the public to continue supporting the government’s amnesty programme by surrendering any remaining illegal firearms and volunteering information that could help security officers recover more weapons.

"The ongoing security operation in Kerio Valley is continuing to achieve significant success, particularly in the Tot and Chesongoch areas. This achievement adds to the steady progress made in disarmament and demonstrates growing community cooperation in the fight against armed crime," said NPS.

NPS added that it is committed to sustaining this momentum through continuous dialogue, targeted operations, and collaboration with the community to rid the Kerio Valley of illegal arms, paving the way for lasting peace and socio-economic development in the region.

"The success of this exercise represents a critical milestone in strengthening national security and fostering long-term stability in the region. It works to eliminate illegal firearms, which greatly increase the risk of armed conflict, banditry, and violent crime - issues that have historically undermined community safety," added NPS.

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