Kerio Valley residents have voluntarily surrendered 27 illegal firearms, including AK-47 and G3 rifles, to police in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
In a statement on Thursday, September 25, the National Police Service (NPS) revealed that the firearms were handed over through the cooperation of community members and Peace Committees drawn from Ketut, Chemwonyo, Kibaimwa, Mon, Chesuman, Kaben, and Endo.
“The weapons have been taken into safe custody. This latest surrender brings the total number of firearms recovered under ‘Operation Rudisha Bunduki’ to 232, along with 1,595 rounds of ammunition,” read the statement in part.
The residents had earlier surrendered 22 illegal firearms.
Further, the NPS has hailed the initiative, commending local leaders, elders, and residents for demonstrating goodwill and prioritising security over conflict.
“Members of the public are encouraged to continue supporting the amnesty by volunteering information and surrendering illegal arms.”
This comes after two persons of interest linked to the Kerio Valley bandits surrendered to authorities, following a seven-day ultimatum for illegal firearm holders to surrender their weapons or face the full force of the law.
Illegal possesion of firearms
This comes a few weeks after the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, banned the possession of firearms in 13 designated areas within Marsabit County.
In a notice dated September 11, 2025, Kanja stated that the affected locations had already been declared as security-disturbed and dangerous by the Interior Security and National Administration Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen.
The listed areas include Hillo Gorgora, Hillo Orofa, Hillo Walkite, Hillo Tanzania, Hillo Irress Abamartille, Hillo Gootu, Hillo Tessum Qalicha, Hillo Karray, Hillo Hudda, Hillo Qoranjido, Hillo Irress Shindia, Hillo Rabaalee, and Hillo Godde Haroressa.
Residents in possession of firearms within these zones are required to surrender them to the nearest police station, post, camp, or national government administrative office.
Elsewhere, President William Ruto, on the 20th anniversary of the Regional Centre on Small Arms in Ngong, burned over 6.000 guns.
The notice clarified that the surrender is intended for safe custody, not permanent confiscation. Once the security situation stabilises and the notice is lifted, the government will return the firearms to their rightful owners.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 106 (2) (a) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, the Inspector-General of the National Police Service prohibits the possession of arms in the following parts of Marsabit County declared as security disturbed and dangerous by the Interior CS,” the notice read in part.
“On the taking effect of this notice, all inhabitants of the said areas are ordered, with immediate effect, to surrender all arms in their possession to the nearest police station, police post, police camp and national government administration offices during the hours of the day for safe custody.”
