The Coast Region Security Council has given a 60-day ultimatum to residents in Tana River who possess firearms against the law to surrender them or else face forceful disarmament.
Speaking in a press conference on December 23, the Coast Regional Commissioner, Rhoda Onyancha, revealed that the government has put measures in place to address the insecurity situation in Tana River.
The government has warned that it will conduct a large-scale, forceful disarmament if the residents fail to surrender the unlawful firearms willingly.
“We are going to carry out a large-scale forceful disarmament after 60 days,” said the Coast Regional Police Commander.
The government has revealed that it is conducting security operations in the area to stop the inter-clan clashes.
The Regional Commissioner also revealed that police are on the hunt for the orchestrators of the clashes who are at large.
The police have detained four people linked to orchestrating the clashes in the area. Two of those apprehended are politicians.
10 people have reportedly passed away in the inter-clan clashes.
Elders from Tana River have called for peace talks between the rival clans to bring peace to the area.
The elders have also embraced the disarmament calls, saying that there are many holders of unlawful firearms in the area, which has led to the escalation of the clashes.
A similar disarmament ultimatum was recently issued by the government regarding the clashes at Angata Barakoi.
The clashes have reportedly caused the displacement of over 1,800 residents, with the government declaring the region a security-disturbed and dangerous area for 30 days.
