Residents surrender 5 illegal AK-47 rifles in Kerio Valley
By Nancy Marende, September 15, 2025Five residents from Sagat, Kasemoi, and Marich sub-locations in Tot Division, Kerio Valley Sub-County, have voluntarily surrendered illegal firearms to security agencies as part of the ongoing disarmament exercise.
In a statement on Monday, September 15, 2025, the National Police Service (NPS) revealed that the surrendered cache included three AK-47 rifles.
“The cache included three AK-47 rifles, each with an empty magazine; one AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing eight rounds of ammunition; and another AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing five rounds of ammunition,” read the statement in part.
Further, the NPS revealed that all weapons have since been secured and will undergo further administrative action.
The National Police Service (NPS) lauded the individuals for taking a bold step toward promoting peace and security in the troubled Kerio Valley region.
“The National Police Service commends these individuals for this bold step and appreciates the support of local leaders and communities in advancing peace and security in the Kerio Valley,” the statement added.
Police have also commended the role played by community leaders and residents in encouraging the voluntary handover of illegal arms.
“Members of the public are encouraged to emulate this gesture by surrendering any illegal arms in their possession and by sharing information that may assist in disarmament and crime prevention,” NPS added.
Possession of firearms
This comes a day 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 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.”