The government has renewed calls on feuding communities in Tana River County to voluntarily surrender all illegally held firearms before the expiry of an ongoing amnesty period and the commencement of a planned disarmament operation.
The Ministry of Interior issued a 60-day amnesty period more than a month ago, giving residents in the conflict-prone county an opportunity to surrender illicit weapons without facing arrest, interrogation or prosecution.
The move is aimed at reducing the proliferation of illegal firearms and restoring peace in a region that has experienced recurring resource-based conflicts.
Tana River has for years witnessed tensions between nomadic pastoralist communities and farming communities over access to scarce water sources, grazing land and agricultural resources.
Security experts and local leaders have linked the recurring disputes to prolonged drought, climate change effects and increased pressure on natural resources, factors that have intensified competition between communities.
Tana River County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi has urged residents in possession of illegal firearms to take advantage of the amnesty period and hand over the weapons to security agencies.
Mwangi, who chairs the County Security and Intelligence Committee (CSIC), said the voluntary surrender initiative provides an opportunity for individuals holding unlicensed firearms to avoid legal action once the amnesty period ends.
“The gun amnesty is expected to reduce the volume of illegal firearms in circulation and by doing so, the government aims to enhance public safety and security,” he said.
The administrator warned that individuals who fail to surrender illegal weapons and continue supporting the circulation of firearms would face the full force of the law after the amnesty period.
He said the government would deploy National Police Reservists to various parts of the county after the disarmament exercise to strengthen security and protect lives and property.
The renewed push for voluntary surrender follows a series of inter-community clashes reported in Tana North, Bangale and Galedyertu sub-counties, where six people were killed last month during conflicts linked to competition over water and pasture resources.
Mwangi revealed that more than seven serviceable AK-47 rifles and associated ammunition had already been surrendered voluntarily during the ongoing exercise.
He, however, said the number remained insignificant compared to the suspected number of illegal firearms still held by individuals and groups in the county.
“We know the number of illegal arms and ammunition given up so far during the surrender period is insignificant compared to what we believe is still being hidden,” he said.
He attributed the recoveries to continued engagement between communities and security agencies aimed at encouraging peaceful coexistence and reducing the circulation of illegal weapons.
The County Commissioner called on residents to support government efforts by reporting individuals holding illegal firearms and encouraging them to surrender the weapons.
He also urged youths involved in communal conflicts to disengage from violence and embrace peaceful solutions to disputes.
Mwangi spoke in Bura Sub-County during the commissioning of a water project, where he was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary for East African Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development Beatrice Askul Moe.
The Commissioner said security agencies had received information that approximately nine illegal firearms were being held by herders in Chwewele Ward, Bura Sub-County.
“We have credible information that about nine illegal firearms are being held by herders in Chwewele Ward in Bura Sub-County, and we still urge all concerned to voluntarily submit these arms by next week,” Mwangi said.
He warned that police and other security agencies would take action against individuals found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition once the amnesty period expires.
CS Moe also encouraged residents to surrender illicit weapons, saying the exercise was aimed at making the country safer for citizens and visitors.
She said peace and security are shared responsibilities requiring cooperation between communities, government agencies and local leaders.
Moe urged residents to avoid actions that fuel conflict and instead promote dialogue, unity and peaceful coexistence.
“Let us all keep our peace and security intact because without peace and unity there would be no meaningful development,” she said.
The government said the disarmament initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance security, prevent loss of lives and create an environment where development projects can thrive in Tana River County.
By Hussein Abdullahi
