President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to residents of the North Rift region in possession of illegal firearms.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 28, during the inspection of Marigat-Mochongoi Road in Baringo, the President asked the locals to surrender the firearms to security agencies before the government moves in to take action against them.
“There will be no discussion if you have an illegal firearm and it is being used contrary to the law. Return that firearm early because if you wait, we will get to you and things will not be easy,” said Ruto.
The Head of State noted that the government has the capability of identifying anyone in possession of an illegal firearm.
Ruto emphasized that there would be no tolerance for illegal guns being used to terrorize members of the public.
“Don’t deceive yourselves, we know everyone in possession of illegal firearms. We are going to come for them.
“It’s either you surrender it early, or you will know the consequences when we come for it. You have terrorized the people of Baringo for years; we cannot accept it anymore,” Ruto added.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on his part, said the government is working to ensure all illegal firearms in the hands of civilians will be recovered.
“We will ensure all firearms in civilian hands are removed so people can live in peace. The Government of Kenya has the capacity to identify those who possess guns, finance banditry, or sell ammunition, and we will pursue them one by one,” said CS Murkomen.
This comes weeks after the National Police Service (NPS) announced that it has recovered over 280 illegal firearms and 2,039 rounds of ammunition from residents of Kerio Valley.
In a statement on October 7, NPS said the Baringo locals have been surrendering guns under the ongoing Operation Rudisha Bunduki.
“This surrender brings the total to two hundred and eighty-two illegal firearms, along with two thousand and thirty-nine rounds of ammunition and one rifle grenade, that have so far been surrendered,” NPS stated.
On June 13, President Ruto presided over the destruction of more than 6,000 illegal firearms at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong, Kajiado County.
The illegal firearms were recovered by security agencies between 2022 and 2025 during the amnesty programs and community disarmament campaigns.
