Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking during a women empowerment event in Kolowa, Tiaty constituency, December 10, 2025. /MINAInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has praised residents of Tiaty constituency for taking the lead in voluntarily surrendering illegal firearms, a move he says has been central to restoring peace and stability in the region.
Speaking during a women's empowerment forum in Kolowa, Murkomen expressed satisfaction with the newfound calm, noting that communities are now able to carry out their daily activities without fear.
"We agreed that all those in possession of illegal firearms should surrender them. I commend the residents of Tiaty and the neighbouring areas who have complied. I am very pleased with this positive step,” he said.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking during a women empowerment event in Kolowa, Tiaty constituency, December 10, 2025. /MINA
Tiaty residents during a women empowerment event in Kolowa, Tiaty constituency, December 10, 2025. /MINA
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking during a women empowerment event in Kolowa, Tiaty constituency, December 10, 2025. /MINAInsecurity in Tiaty has deep roots, evolving from traditional, low-violence cattle rustling in the early 1970s —mainly involving spears and arrows to restock herds or pay dowries— into a present-day problem of armed banditry involving the use of modern weapons.
While livestock raiding was once a cultural practice rarely resulting in loss of life, the introduction of modern small arms and commercial interests transformed it into a lethal crisis.
Baringo Senator Vincent Chemitei and Tiaty MP William Kamket during a women empowerment event in Kolowa, Tiaty constituency, December 10, 2025. /MINA
Taveta MP John Bwire speaking during a women empowerment event in Kolowa, Tiaty constituency, December 10, 2025. /MINA
Baringo Senator Vincent Chemitei speaking during a women empowerment event in Kolowa, Tiaty constituency, December 10, 2025. /MINAThe situation worsened over decades, prompting the government in February 2023 to declare parts of six North Rift counties, including Tiaty, a national emergency.
Specific areas were gazetted as "disturbed" and "dangerous," prompting large-scale security operations.
Despite these efforts, the region continued to experience displacement, loss of life, and the closure of schools and markets as heavily armed bandits raided homes at will, stole livestock and killed residents.
Recent community-led dialogue initiatives have had some success, with displaced families returning in mid-2024.
Murkomen highlighted that the voluntary surrender of firearms complements these peace efforts, allowing communities to coexist peacefully and rebuild livelihoods.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking during a women empowerment event in Kolowa, Tiaty constituency, December 10, 2025. /MINAHe also noted that the government is rolling out strategic development programmes to open opportunities and spur economic growth in Tiaty and the wider Kerio Valley region.
The CS was joined by Baringo Senator Vincent Chemitei, host MP William Kamket and Taveta MP John Bwire, among other leaders, who emphasised the importance of sustaining peace and security in the region.
