- Officers stopped the first motorcycle, which had two passengers, however, the rider sped off, dropping weapons sack.
- Sack contained four AK-47 assault rifles , each with magazine loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, 60 bullets.
Security teams are hunting two motorcycle riders who dropped four AK-47 rifles with 60 bullets and escaped a dragnet in Pokot South, West Pokot.
The area is among those under an operation to rid it of illegal weapons and banditry causing deaths and property losses.
Police said a team from Tapach police station in Pokot South subcounty was on patrol in Tangasia location along Kapsangar-Sina road. They encountered two motorcycles heading towards Sugut center.
The officers stopped the first motorcycle, which had two passengers, however, the rider sped off and in the process dropped a sack.
The sack contained four AK-47 assault rifles, each with a magazine loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.
Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said the teams are looking for the rider and his passenger for questioning.
“We need to know the source and destination of these weapons. They can tell us more,” he said.
He said the recoveries are part of the ongoing disarmament exercise in the region. It is being conducted by multi-agency teams in the volatile areas of Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and West Pokot counties.
The government announced an extended month-long curfew and operation on June 8 to trace guns behind the attacks by bandits and criminal gangs.
The curfew effectively locked up five of the 20 wards in Elgeyo Marakwet as the government renewed efforts to tackle banditry in Kerio Valley.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i commissioned the operation to restore security following persistent attacks that left dozens dead and thousands displaced.
Matiang’i announced awhich will be launched alongside social development interventions to restore order in Kerio Valley and other parts of the North Rift.
He blamed the violence on political incitement and expressed frustration at the lack of goodwill and cooperation from area leaders.
He compared the insecurity in Kerio Valley to the situation in Marsabit county where an ongoing security operation has restored peace.
The decision to change tack and go beyond traditional law enforcement is informed by the recommendations of a special team.
It was dispatched to review the security situation in the area following the killing of three school children.
Dozens of people have been killed there and many displaced.
The new approach links national and local level security operations. It provides urgent interventions to address the wider political, economic and social drivers of violence.
As in the case of unrest in Laikipia county, the operation has law enforcement, health, housing, employment and other components.
(Edited by V. Graham)