The National Police Service (NPS) has overseen the voluntary surrender of 26 illegal firearms in Turkana County, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing peaceful disarmament exercise in the North Rift region. The recovery took place following a targeted security operation and community sensitization drive in Katilu.
According to an official statement released by the NPS on Monday, the cache of surrendered weaponry is composed of high-caliber rifles commonly used in regional banditry and cattle rustling. The inventory includes 21 AK-47 rifles, two M16 rifles, two MK4 firearms, and one G3 rifle. The firearms were handed over by residents following weeks of structured engagement between security agencies, local administrators, and community elders.
The NPS characterized the operation as a critical pillar in enhancing long-term stability in Turkana, a region that has historically grappled with insecurity and cross-border conflicts. Authorities noted that the success of this specific exercise in Katilu reflects a shift in community perception toward illegal arms.
“The National Police Service continues to sustain these efforts aimed at removing illegal weapons from circulation through targeted operations, community engagement, and structured disarmament initiatives,” the police statement read. The service further emphasized that the recovery is a direct result of the growing trust between the public and law enforcement agencies.
Security experts in the region suggest that the inclusion of modern weaponry, such as M16 rifles, in the surrender indicates the sophisticated nature of the illicit arms trade in the corridor. The peaceful disarmament model being deployed in Turkana prioritizes amnesty for those who voluntarily relinquish their weapons, a strategy aimed at reducing the need for forceful kinetic operations that often heighten local tensions.
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The NPS reiterated its commitment to maintaining this momentum, stating that lasting security is achieved through “trust, cooperation, and shared responsibility” rather than enforcement alone. The sensitization efforts have been specifically designed to educate the public on the legal and social consequences of maintaining unlicensed firearms while highlighting the government’s role in providing alternative security through the National Police Reservists (NPR) and regular units.
The surrendered firearms have been moved to a secure police facility for cataloging and subsequent destruction. Meanwhile, the NPS has called on other individuals still in possession of illegal weapons to take advantage of the current amnesty window and surrender them to the nearest administrative or police posts.
Local leaders in Turkana have lauded the move, noting that a reduction in illegal small arms is essential for the success of ongoing development projects and the resumption of normal economic activities in the Katilu and wider Turkana South areas.
