Residents of Bangale Sub-County in Tana River County voluntarily surrendered five illegal firearms and 13 rounds of ammunition to a multi-agency security team on Friday, January 9, 2025, in Madogo.
The weapons included three AK-47s and two G3 rifles. The items have been placed in safe custody pending further administrative action.
Police said the voluntary surrender is a major success for the ongoing national disarmament initiative, which seeks to improve public safety, peace, and security through community cooperation.
The National Police Service commended local residents and leaders for responding to the government’s directive.
“Any individual in possession of an illegal firearm is urged to take advantage of the amnesty period and surrender it. The Service remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across the country,” the police statement read.
Authorities in Tana River had issued a strict 60-day deadline last year for residents to hand over illegal firearms, warning that failure to comply would trigger a forceful disarmament operation.
Speaking at a press briefing on December 23, Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said the government is taking proactive steps to restore security in the area.
“We are going to carry out a large-scale forceful disarmament after 60 days,” she said.
The county has experienced several violent inter-clan clashes, prompting targeted government operations to contain the unrest. Commissioner Onyancha added that police are actively pursuing the organisers of the clashes, some of whom remain at large.
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