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President William Ruto addressing Samburu residents on November 9, 2025 / PCSPresident William Ruto has called on residents of Samburu County to surrender illegal firearms, warning that the government will not allow the use of guns to perpetrate violence in the region.
Speaking during a visit to Samburu on Sunday, the President said security agencies are aware of individuals in possession of illegal weapons and will move to recover them if they are not surrendered voluntarily.
“We know who has a gun; we know. Listen to me keenly, my friend; if you are here and you know a friend who has a gun, we will come for that gun, bring it early. We will come to take,” Ruto said.
He said firearms have contributed to loss of lives and suffering among communities and urged pastoralists to return to traditional herding practices.
Ruto noted that gun violence has led to family tragedies, leaving widows, widowers, and orphans behind.
“We shall not allow you to have guns so that you can kill members of the community. Everyone who has a gun should return it very early. If you want to herd cows, use a stick, not a gun. Using guns is killing our families, leaving orphans, widows, and widowers,” he added.
The President encouraged young men interested in handling firearms to join the police service through the formal recruitment process, rather than keeping weapons unlawfully.
“If you want to herd your livestock, use a stick. If you want to use a gun, we are having a police recruitment. Come and be vetted so that you can use the gun in the correct way,” Ruto said.
He said the government will work with local authorities and security teams to coordinate the surrender of illegal firearms in the region.
Speaking during a roadside rally in Kabarnet Town, Ruto said his administration will no longer tolerate armed criminality that has for years destabilised parts of the North Rift region.
He warned those still in possession of illegal guns that security agencies have already identified them and will take decisive action if they fail to comply.
“For a long time, Baringo has been troubled by insecurity. Time has come to deal with the issue decisively,” the President declared.
“Bandits—I will deal with them. I want to promise you, these armed cattle thieves, I will sort them out completely.”
Ruto revealed that 600 illegal firearms have so far been surrendered to authorities following an earlier amnesty but noted that many more remain in circulation.
“Don’t deceive yourselves,” he warned. “The government knows everyone who still has a gun. I have given them notice—return the guns early. And if they don’t, nobody should question me. We cannot allow this to be a county of orphans and widows.”
The President assured residents that the government has deployed additional police officers to restore order and protect communities from bandit attacks.
