Crime scene
Three illegally held firearms and 43 rounds of ammunition were voluntarily surrendered in separate recoveries across Tana River County on Wednesday, the National Police Service (NPS) has said.
In a statement issued on Friday, NPS said the recoveries were made through an ongoing community-led disarmament initiative aimed at encouraging members of the public to hand over illegally held weapons.
According to the police, members of the public in Bangale voluntarily surrendered two AK-47 rifles and 35 rounds of ammunition to a multi-agency team of security officers.
In a separate recovery in Tana North Sub-County, another firearm and eight rounds of ammunition were also voluntarily handed over, bringing the total recovered to three firearms and 43 rounds of ammunition.
The NPS said the recoveries were made on July 9 and reflected continued public cooperation with security agencies in efforts to reduce the circulation of illegal firearms.
According to the service, the disarmament initiative is being implemented through a multi-agency approach that involves close coordination between security officers and local communities.
The police said the approach seeks to encourage residents to voluntarily surrender illegally held firearms through dialogue and cooperation.
"The multi-agency approach, working in close coordination with local stakeholders, continues to create an environment in which members of the public are increasingly choosing dialogue and cooperation over silence," the statement said.
The NPS said it continues to engage residents through regular interactions aimed at building public confidence and encouraging the peaceful surrender of illegal firearms.
It said the initiative is intended to enhance public safety and support efforts to promote lasting peace and security in the county.
"The National Police Service continues to maintain regular interactions with residents, building confidence and encouraging the peaceful handover of illegally held weapons, with the shared objective of enhancing public safety and ensuring lasting peace and security," the statement said.
The service appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security operations by reporting information on illegally held firearms and other criminal activities.
"We appeal for continued support in ongoing security efforts by sharing information on illegal firearms and criminal activities through the toll-free numbers 999 and 911, or via #FichuaKwaDCI on 0800 722 203, or by WhatsApp on 0709 570 000, to report anonymously."
The NPS said the voluntary surrender of the firearms demonstrates continued public participation in the ongoing disarmament initiative, which relies on cooperation between communities and security agencies to remove illegal weapons from circulation.
The service maintained that it will continue working with local stakeholders to encourage the peaceful handover of illegally held firearms as part of broader efforts to improve security.
