The government has ordered residents of Loiyangalani sub county in Marsabit county in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them within two weeks.
Marsabit County Commissioner (CC) James Kamau also called on the residents to rally behind the government by supporting its development programmes for accelerated growth.
Kamau who was speaking at Sarima village after a series of joint security cum peace meetings for Loiyangalani and neighbouring Samburu North cautioned that a forceful retrieval of illegal guns will be conducted if the deadline is not honoured.
The CC who was accompanied by DCCs Wanne Kamau (Samburu North), Stanley Kimanga, the county security team, and peace committee elders cautioned that those unlawfully possessing guns were a threat to security and an impediment to development.
He pointed out that the government has restored peace in the region and put up measures including recruitment of 131 police reservists and no one will be allowed to own unlicensed firearms.
The CC added that a review for additional national police reservists was underway while administration police officers will be posted to all chiefs’ offices in order to bolster security.
Mr Kamau said that a security operation to mop up illegal guns in Moite, Ortulot, Sarima, Larachi and Gas areas where reports indicate individuals were holding over 250 illegal assault rifles will be carried out unless the call to surrender them is heeded.
“The government cannot toy with the idea of wrong hands possessing guns because they are a threat to state security and that of citizens,” he said adding that those desiring to own firearms should apply for issuance as per the laid-down procedures.
The residents said they were in support of the government effort to sustain the restored peace pointing out that the availability of illegal firearms was to blame for the few incidents of livestock raids being witnessed in the sub-county
Ms Nang’ila Ekomwa, the women chairperson of the local peace committee said that the community values peace and that the women fraternity was engaged in peace-building programmes.
During the engagements which were facilitated by World Vision Kenya, the residents resolved that illegal firearms be surrendered to the authorities.
It was also agreed that the local pastoralist communities should coexist amicably and share grazing resources as per their laid-down regulations that govern grazing patterns.
To this end, the County Commissioner directed chiefs and their assistants to regularly hold intercommunal dialogue in order to foster understanding and unity among residents.
By Sebastian Miriti
