Banditry crackdown yields 300 guns as schools reopen

More than 300 illegal firearms have been surrendered in the past one month in the North Rift, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

He said 245 guns were handed over to police in Elgeyo Marakwet and 65 were surrendered in Tiaty, a long-time hideout for armed bandits.

The CS said more than 100 bandits have renounced crime and joined rehabilitation efforts as the government intensified peace operations across Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana and Samburu counties.

“We are very grateful to our people in that region for supporting efforts to end banditry. We urge those still holding illegal guns to surrender them as soon as possible within the ongoing amnesty period,” Murkomen said during an empowerment event in Marakwet on Saturday.

The CS said the security situation in the region had greatly improved, marking what he described “a near end to banditry”.

He said the government would now focus on reviving stalled projects and restoring normalcy to affected communities.

Leaders accompanying him—among them Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and President William Ruto's aide, Farouk Kibet,—praised Murkomen’s efforts and called for sustained peace-building to secure lasting stability.

Teachers in the region have also welcomed the gains, saying the improved security has led to increased school attendance.

Elgeyo Marakwet Knut secretary John Cheberi said more than 35 schools that had been shut down due to insecurity are now reopening.

“We’ve already seen many children returning to class. Teachers are also reporting to work without fear, unlike before,” he said, urging the government to maintain the current calm to ensure education continues uninterrupted.

Murkomen said the government had allocated Sh1 billion to help reopen and rebuild the region.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has ordered the reopening of markets in Kerio Valley, which had been closed for over two years because of insecurity.

Rotich said safety in the area had improved by more than 80 per cent, thanks to the ongoing disarmament and peace operations.

“Our people are now sleeping peacefully in their homes. Kerio Valley, once known as the valley of death, is becoming a valley of opportunities,” he said.

The governor directed county officials to work with security agencies to fully reopen trade centres and restore normal economic life.

Murkomen said once the disarmament phase concludes, President Ruto will visit the region to launch a youth empowerment programme aimed at rehabilitating reformed bandits and promoting economic growth.

“We will rebuild roads, reopen projects and empower our youth so that they can take part in development without fear,” Murkomen said.