Over 700 illegal firearms surrendered as Murkomen says State will burn guns once tally hits 1,000
He provided a breakdown of the progress: Baringo has surrendered 370 firearms, while Elgeyo Marakwet has crossed the 300 mark. Murkomen, however, noted that West Pokot was still making "slow progress."
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has hailed the government’s ongoing anti-banditry campaign in the North Rift region, announcing a major milestone, the voluntary surrender of more than 700 illegal guns so far.
Speaking in Elgeyo-Marakwet, the CS described the community's response as "unbelievable," expressing surprise that the community he grew up in would willingly hand over weapons that have fueled years of chronic violence.
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“Even me, I don’t believe it. For people to be surrendering their guns voluntarily, it is unbelievable,” he said.
He provided a breakdown of the progress: Baringo has surrendered 370 firearms, while Elgeyo Marakwet has crossed the 300 mark. Murkomen, however, noted that West Pokot was still making "slow progress."
The CS linked the renewed, decisive momentum to the killing of Father Allois Bett, stating that the State decided to draw the line following the tragic event.
“It was sad that we lost him, but that was the day we said never again,” he said."Whether people say what they want to say, we will do what we need to do.”
The CS announced that the government is preparing a powerful, symbolic act to signal the permanent end of the banditry era, which is the burning of the recovered weapons.
Murkomen confirmed that this public destruction will take place once the total number of surrendered firearms crosses the 1,000 mark, stating that he has agreed with President William Ruto to destroy them in either Kolowo or Tot.
"We have agreed with the President that when it crosses over 1,000, we'll go and burn them somewhere in Kolowo or Tot, and as a signature that we will never go back there again," he said.
The CS also issued a firm warning to those who have yet to surrender their weapons, noting that the government has robust intelligence on all illegal gun owners and expects full compliance.
“We know where your gun is, how many guns you have, who you are. We have asked everybody to give us those illegal guns. We mean business,” he said.
The CS reiterated that peace is no longer fragile in Kerio Valley, declaring it permanent and backed by a sustained security operation.
Community and security officials say the ongoing surrender of guns, combined with increased government presence and new infrastructure, is finally laying the foundation for long-term stability in a region long scarred by banditry.
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