More than 300 illegal firearms have been surrendered in the past one month in the North Rift, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has said.
He said 245 guns were handed over to police in Elgeyo Marakwet and 65 were surrendered in Tiaty, a long-time hideout for armed bandits.
The CS said more than 100 bandits have renounced crime and joined rehabilitation efforts as the government intensified
peace operations across Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana and
Samburu counties.
“We are very grateful to our people
in that region for supporting efforts to end banditry. We urge those still
holding illegal guns to surrender them as soon as possible within the ongoing
amnesty period,” Murkomen said during an empowerment event in Marakwet on
Saturday.
The CS said the security situation in the region had greatly improved, marking what he described “a near end to banditry”.
He said the government would now focus on reviving stalled projects
and restoring normalcy to affected communities.
Leaders accompanying him—among
them Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and President William Ruto's aide, Farouk Kibet,—praised Murkomen’s efforts and called for sustained peace-building to secure
lasting stability.
Teachers in the region have also welcomed the gains, saying the improved security has led to increased school attendance.
Elgeyo Marakwet Knut secretary John Cheberi said more than 35
schools that had been shut down due to insecurity are now reopening.
“We’ve already seen many children
returning to class. Teachers are also reporting to work without fear, unlike
before,” he said, urging the government to maintain the current calm to
ensure education continues uninterrupted.
Murkomen said the government had allocated Sh1 billion to help reopen and rebuild the region.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has ordered the reopening of
markets in Kerio Valley, which had been closed for over two years because of
insecurity.
Rotich said safety in the area had improved by more than 80 per cent, thanks to the ongoing disarmament and peace operations.
“Our people are now sleeping peacefully in their homes. Kerio
Valley, once known as the valley of death, is becoming a valley of
opportunities,” he said.
The governor directed county
officials to work with security agencies to fully reopen trade centres and restore
normal economic life.
Murkomen said once the
disarmament phase concludes, President Ruto will visit the region to
launch a youth empowerment programme aimed at rehabilitating reformed bandits
and promoting economic growth.
“We will rebuild roads, reopen
projects and empower our youth so that they can take part in development
without fear,” Murkomen said.
