President William Ruto has unveiled an unconventional disarmament strategy in West Pokot County, asking residents with illegal firearms to surrender them to the church.
The directive was issued during an interdenominational service in Chesombur, West Pokot County, where the President took a firm stance against gun violence.
"Everyone who has a gun, and you are not a police officer, and you have a gun with you, hurry up, bring the gun, give it to the Bishop," Ruto declared.
He warned that failure to comply would result in forceful confiscation.
"If you do not do that, we will come and take that gun. And if we come and take that gun, you will regret it," he added.
The President's directive comes amid persistent insecurity in the region, where illegal firearms fuel cattle rustling and resource-based conflicts.
Gun-related insecurity in West Pokot is driven by a long history of inter-communal rivalries, compounded by economic hardship and entrenched cultural traditions that continue to fuel cycles of violence.
Cattle rustling, competition over water and pasture, and porous borders with conflict-prone neighboring countries continue to drive the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
The November 2025 surge in border killings between West Pokot and Turkana County forced hundreds of families to flee their homes.
The government's "Operation Rudisha Bunduki" has recorded some success, with over 600 illegal firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition surrendered in late 2025.
Ruto emphasized that firearms have no place in everyday civilian activities.
"There are people who pretend to herd cattle with guns. No cattle will be herded with guns. Find a stick," he stated.
Community-based peace-building efforts, including sports activities and cross-border development programs, are also being deployed to reduce tensions.
Joint committees between Kenya and Uganda, such as the Karamoja Affairs delegation, continue working on long-term conflict resolution.
The President's directive signals a renewed push to restore peace and development in West Pokot.
