State issues 24-hour surrender ultimatum to illegal firearm holders in Samburu
Abdi said that the rise in insecurity in Samburu County, largely fuelled by the proliferation of illegal firearms, has been a growing concern since the start of 2025.
The government has issued a 24-hour deadline for all illegal firearm holders in Samburu County to surrender their weapons, warning of serious legal consequences for those who fail to comply.
Speaking on Friday after leading a regional security committee meeting at the Samburu County Commissioners' office, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan stated that the government has already identified key criminals in the area, and a comprehensive mop-up operation for illegal firearms will soon commence.
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“It is only the government that is authorised to possess weapons for the purpose of maintaining law and order. Anyone found in possession of illegal firearms will face the full force of the law,” Abdi said.
“We will pursue offenders individually, and those who attempt to shield them will also face consequences.”
Abdi said that the rise in insecurity in Samburu County, largely fuelled by the proliferation of illegal firearms, has been a growing concern since the start of 2025.
Key issues that have affected the county include highway robberies along the Maralal-Baragoi road, cattle rustling in Baragoi and parts of Samburu West, and a new wave of violent robberies in urban centres such as Maralal, Kisima (Nanyuki-Meru highway), Wamba, and Archers Post in Samburu East.
“We are focusing on curbing the increasing armed robberies in towns within Samburu, and we have already detained four suspects,” he said.
“Additionally, we have intensified patrols along the Maralal-Baragoi road to safeguard motorists and have managed to recover 837 cattle out of the 1,884 stolen in the last two and a half months.”
Hassan also appealed to the residents of Samburu County to maintain peace and collaborate with security forces to address the escalating insecurity, which he emphasised could deter investment in the region.
“Many pastoralist counties in Kenya are lagging in development due to outdated practices like cattle rustling, which scare away potential investors. We need to work together to create a safer environment for investment and growth,” he noted.
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