IG Kanja bans possession of firearms in 13 areas in Marsabit
By Aloys Michael, September 14, 2025Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has 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 security disturbed and dangerous by 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.
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.”
In a connected directive, the government extended the designation of the 13 areas as security-disturbed and dangerous, a declaration he originally made through a gazette notice on July 1, 2025, following consultations with the National Security Council.
The updated declaration took effect on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., and will remain in force for 30 days, with the possibility of extension or withdrawal at the discretion of CS Murkomen.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 106 (6) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, in consultation with the National Security Council, extends the declaration made on 13th August, 2025, declaring parts of Marsabit County as security disturbed and dangerous,” the notice read.
“This notice shall take effect on the 13th September, 2025, as of 6.30 pm, for a period of thirty (30) days and may, at any time, be withdrawn or continued in force for such further period as the Cabinet Secretary may, in each case, by notice in the Gazette direct,” it directed.