- This brings to 19, the number of weapons so far recovered in the exercise in the region.
- Even though small in numbers and below expectations, officials said they will continue to urge those holding them to surrender
10 more firearms were Sunday recovered in two separate parts in Samburu County in an ongoing security operation in the region.
Police said the weapons were surrendered by locals who heed a plea from the government to give them out in an amnesty programme.
Police spokesperson Resla Onyango said one of the weapons - a G3 rifle and two empty magazines - were found in Kirisia forest.
Also recovered was a Federal Riot gun, said Dr Onyango.
She added the recoveries were made Sunday.
Eight other weapons which included six AK47 rifles and the Carribean were recovered in the same area with 19 rounds of ammunition.
This brings to 19, the number of weapons so far recovered in the exercise in the region.
Even though small in numbers and below expectations, officials said they will continue to urge those holding illegal weapons to surrender them amid ongoing operation.
The arms amnesty was announced by president William Ruto ahead of the start of an operation to recover the weapons.
Police said most of the weapons were surrendered in Samburu County, which is among six counties under dusk to dawn curfew and declared disturbed and dangerous.
“We urge the residents to continue cooperating with the multi-agency security team by surrendering illegal firearms and sharing any information that will lead to the restoration of peace and security in the disturbed areas,” said Dr Onyango.
This comes as the planned security operation against bandits in the six counties in the North Rift started in earnest on Friday, February 17 following the lapse of the three-day amnesty period where those in possession of illegal arms were supposed to have surrendered them to the government.
A convoy of military vehicles was spotted snaking into the troubled zones.
The areas have been zoned to enable smooth and careful operation, officials said. The government said the military is “just” supporting the police in the operation.
The movement of more boots on the ground signified the kick-off of a high level multiagency operation that will bring together men and women in uniform from the National Police Service (NPS) and KDF.
The operation is expected to lead officers in the hilly areas of the disturbed and dangerous zone, deemed to be bandit hideouts. Covering the entire place will not be easy.
This is because of among others the scarcity of resources and personnel at large. The military team moved to the mapped areas for deployment.
The multi-agencies involved in the exercise have been mobilizing resources ahead of the start of the operation.
The resources included vehicles, choppers, personnel, tents and food.
Maj Gen David Tarus of KDF who is the commander of the western command is expected to coordinate the new operation with the Rift Valley Regional Commander Tom Odero.
A document dubbed Technical Report on National Shared Security Strategy for Enduring Peace and Security in the North Rift Region was handed to the President last month and detailed the problems and possible solutions.
The document will guide the next phase of “Operation Komesha Uhalifu North Rift”, which was launched in September last year following the killing of a local chief, two civilians and eight police officers by bandits in Turkana East, officials said.
The involvement of the military in the operation came amid mixed reactions from the public. Some welcomed the move while others criticized it.
The plan to deploy KDF to the region was tabled before Parliament on Tuesday. With the drought situation worsening, the operation is expected to target caves that bandits run to for cover as well as beef up ground and air support.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki declared the security situation in the North Rift a National Emergency and issued a three-day amnesty for the surrender of illegally held firearms.
He said more than 100 people and 16 police officers have been killed in the last six months in the area.
Additional zones have also been listed among the dangerous and disturbed areas.
The extension was made in Samburu and Laikipia Counties. Sipili Division in Laikipia County and Malaso, Baragoi, and Wamba Divisions in Samburu County are now listed among disturbed and dangerous areas and they will be affected by the curfew.
However, the ministry of interior excluded Kirisia Division in Samburu County. Inspector General Japhet Koome called upon people owning firearms illegally in the areas to surrender.