Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in the smuggling in of firearms into Kenya from neighbouring Uganda.
Murkomen stated that security agencies have already identified and are closely monitoring the suspects.
Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama Edition held in Kapenguria, West Pokot County, Murkomen revealed that the government has concrete intelligence on the gun smugglers, including their identities and phone numbers, and that arrests are expected in the near future.
“Many of them wear suits and drive vehicles. We know them, we have their numbers. They are being monitored and are due to be arrested,” Murkomen said.
The Jukwaa la Usalama forum brought together key stakeholders, including opinion leaders, National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), elected leaders, and security personnel.
The platform is designed to foster open and candid discussions on issues affecting security, development, and public service delivery in the region.
Murkomen emphasised that the illegal trade in firearms would no longer be tolerated, and that the government is prepared to conduct targeted operations based on intelligence gathered over time.
“We will pick people from their villages and the comfort of their shops and homes and take them through the justice system, and we are not just warning the Pokots, the Marakwets as well," he declared.
The Cabinet Secretary cautioned those involved in the illicit arms trade not to assume immunity based on their social status or political connections.
“Some of these individuals think they can get away with crime because they are leaders or opinion leaders,” Murkomen said.
“But I want to warn them — if they find themselves in a crossfire, we do not want them to come and say that the police should have done this or that.”
According to Murkomen, the police have already mapped out the key players in the smuggling network and are preparing to make arrests through “well-surveilled, intelligence-covered operations.”
He warned that the consequences of engaging in illegal arms trade would be “extremely dire,” underscoring the government’s resolve to dismantle the networks fueling insecurity in the region.
The West Pokot area, along with parts of Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana counties, has experienced recurring insecurity over the years, often linked to cattle rustling, banditry, and the proliferation of illegal firearms.
The government has made several attempts to disarm communities and restore peace, but success has been hindered by entrenched cultural practices, porous borders, and political interference.
