Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a seven-day ultimatum for the surrender of illegal firearms in Angata Barrikoi.
The CS had arrived in Ang’ata Barrikoi, Narok County, on June 24 to assess the security situation and evaluate measures to restore peace and stability following recent incidents of insecurity in the area.
Murkomen directed individuals in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them to local chiefs within seven days.
He warned that the crackdown would not only target those holding illegal weapons but also individuals involved in the sale and distribution of firearms.
“We will deal firmly with those engaged in the illegal firearms trade,” he said.
Murkomen Gives Angata Barrikoi Residents Seven Days to Hand Over Illegal Firearms
The CS further cautioned business owners and traders involved in purchasing stolen livestock, saying they would also face legal action as part of efforts to curb insecurity in the region.
As part of measures to restore security in the area, Murkomen announced plans to relocate the police station closer to residents to improve access to security services.
He also pledged to provide a police vehicle to enhance mobility for officers and strengthen security operations, saying the measures are intended to help restore peace, stability and normalcy in Ang’ata Barrikoi.
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Murkomen warned that individuals who fail to surrender illegal firearms within the seven-day notice period would be tracked down through intelligence-led security operations.
He said security agencies would use intelligence gathering to identify and apprehend anyone found in possession of illegal weapons after the deadline expires.
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Reported Violence
Murkomen’s latest visit comes months after deadly clashes linked to a land demarcation exercise rocked Ang’ata Barrikoi in April, leaving several people dead and others injured.
At the time, the Interior CS expressed sympathy to the affected families and announced that investigations had been launched to establish those responsible for the violence.
The unrest stemmed from a land ownership dispute that escalated into violent confrontations between police officers and local residents, leaving several people dead and others injured.
“I regret that the situation led to needless loss of lives and injuries both to the police and civilians. Investigations are ongoing to establish the number of deaths, the people responsible for the deaths and those who instigated the tension,” he said.
He also sought to calm tensions among residents by assuring them that the government would protect their land rights and that no one would be unlawfully dispossessed of their property.
Murkomen urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead allow government institutions to resolve the dispute through lawful processes.
The CS further dismissed claims that the land demarcation exercise was intended to deprive legitimate owners of their land, maintaining that the government remained committed to safeguarding both lives and property in the area.
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