Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, with the help of a multi-agency team, recovered a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) on Friday, May 19, in an operation that saw residents of Samburu County surrender one of the largest consignments of guns in recent months.
The CS made the revelation while on a tour of Samburu County confirming that a total of 96 guns had been surrendered.
“The government appreciates residents of Samburu County who have surrendered 96 guns and hundreds of ammunition in the last few weeks.
“The intelligence-led security operation will continue until all criminals are flushed out of their hideouts,” the CS noted in a statement.
Moreover, the Kindiki maintained that the government would not relent in its fight until all illegal guns are recovered and thanked residents for giving tip-offs to security operatives.
"All guns illegally in the hands of civilians must be recovered. The multi-agency security team pursuing armed criminals and bandits in the North Rift Valley region will continue to partner with residents to identify and disarm criminals," he added.
Troubled Region
On March 12, Kindiki declared six counties in the North Rift Valley region as dangerous and disturbed for a period of three months. That was necessitated by escalating attacks from bandits and cattle rustlers.
The six included Samburu, Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Laikipia counties.
At the time, the National Police Service (NPS) was charged with spearheading the operation under the support of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
The CS later, on May 17, extended the order noting that the multi-agency team had not yet expelled all bandits nor had they totally pacified the region.
"The orders I issued on March 12, 2023, declaring parts of the six counties of North Rift Valley disturbed and dangerous are hereby extended by another 30 days.
“I cannot provide a specific timeline for the conclusion of the operation because it will end only when all bandits and armed criminals are effectively dealt with," he stated.