Murkomen extends an olive branch to bandits, sponsors

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen Friday extended an olive branch to banditry suspects and those in possession of illegal firearms, even as he warned of a crackdown.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner’s office in Iten, ahead of Jukwaa La Usalama security tour in the county, Murkomen said that he was giving a grace period for those in possession of illegal firearms to surrender.

"If you own an illegal firearm, we are giving you an opportunity in the shortest time possible to present it to police officers,” he said.

He said the government will take back to school those who will surrender their arms, noting that a majority of them are of school-going age.

"I am ready, working with relevant agencies, to take to technical schools those who surrender their firearms so that they acquire skills to empower themselves."

“Some of these people are of school-going age. Instead of engaging in crime, we will give them scholarships to get skills that they can afford to take care of their lives,” he said.

He warned that another ruthless security operation is being launched to weed out remaining bandits and their financiers.

"Those who insist that they must continue to be in banditry will have no one to blame. Our security agencies are going to deal with them firmly,” he said.

He said the bandits “should therefore take this olive branch and choose peace by surrendering guns and taking pens instead".

The CS also warned that he was in possession of intelligence information about prominent people, including politicians and civil servants in the county, who are buying and supplying bandits with weapons.

"We are aware of elements who are buying and supplying firearms; some of them are teachers, contractors, and politicians. The law will catch up with them."

"I want to give them an olive branch, surrender to the police before it's too late."

He was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, Deputy Inspector General of Police - APS Gilbert Masengeli, MPs Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North), Timothy Toroitich (Marakwet West) and Caroline Ngelechei (Woman Rep), Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan, Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly Speaker Lawi Kibire and a host of MCAs.