In 2025, residents of Baringo County voluntarily surrendered a total of 567 illegal firearms and 1,861 rounds of ammunition under the Operation Maliza Uhalifu campaign.
Police say the continued handovers reflect growing trust between communities and security agencies in the fight against illegal arms.
The Kenya Police Service (KPS) confirmed that residents recently handed over four additional AK-47 rifles and 25 rounds of ammunition, bringing the one-year total to 567 rifles and 1,861 rounds. The surrender is part of a government-led security and peace programme aimed at curbing armed violence in the North Rift region.
“Firearms Surrender in Baringo Reaches 567. Residents have voluntarily surrendered four more AK-47s and 25 rounds under #OperationMalizaUhalifu, pushing the 1-year total to 567 rifles and 1,861 rounds. The amnesty period is still open,” the police said in a statement on Tuesday.
Authorities said the latest recovery marks steady progress in a region long plagued by banditry, cattle rustling, and inter-communal violence. Police emphasised that voluntary disarmament remains central to restoring calm and safeguarding lives.
Earlier records show a gradual rise in surrendered weapons in recent months. On November 16, 2025, the National Police Service (NPS) reported the recovery of four illegally held rifles in Orus Location, Tiaty East Sub-County, handed in with four magazines and eight rounds of ammunition. The firearms were secured pending further action.
At the time, police described the recovery as part of a wider peace and disarmament drive, commending local leaders and residents for their cooperation and noting improved trust between communities and security agencies.
On November 9, 2025, another illegal firearm was voluntarily surrendered by a member of the public in Mukutani Sub-County. According to police, the weapon and its ammunition were immediately secured, bringing the county’s total at that point to 271 firearms and 879 rounds of ammunition.
Police consistently credit community leaders, peace committees, and residents for encouraging voluntary disarmament, saying their involvement has persuaded armed civilians to surrender weapons without fear of arrest during the amnesty period.
Baringo is part of a broader North Rift peace stabilisation programme covering several insecurity-prone areas. The initiative emphasises dialogue, community policing, and voluntary surrender of illegal firearms rather than relying solely on force, which authorities say reduces resistance and the risk of violent confrontations.
Security agencies have also urged the public to share credible information to help trace remaining illegal arms, noting that community intelligence has prevented attacks and recovered weapons before they are used.
President William Ruto has pledged to disarm all criminals in the Rift Valley and across the country, stressing that sustainable development cannot be realised without peace, unity, and stability.
Speaking on Sunday during an interdenominational church service at Chesombur in West Pokot County, the President said the government had made notable progress in restoring calm in the Kerio Valley, a region long affected by deadly banditry and inter-communal conflict.
“We have made significant progress in restoring unity, peace and stability in Kerio Valley that has for decades witnessed deadly conflicts,” Ruto said.
He noted that insecurity had stalled development in key sectors, including education, transport, water, and electricity.
“Without peace, none can be achieved. Today we are discussing how we can develop this region,” he said, adding that communities had endured more than two decades without stability.
“For more than 20 years, people here have not seen peace, and with that,t the area has lagged behind in development.”
The President assured residents of West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, and neighbouring counties that the government was committed to restoring lasting peace.
“I want to give my assurance… by the end of this year, the entire region will restore peace for our people to live in harmony,” he said.
Issuing a warning to armed civilians, Ruto declared that the era of illegal firearms was ending.
“I want to announce here that anyone with a firearm who is not a police officer, please bring it to the police or a church leader. If not, we will come for it, and you will have it rough,” he warned.
He emphasised that firearms are meant to protect life and property under police control, not to fuel crime.
“The firearms are there to keep peace and protect life and property by the police. We have those who pretend they are herding animals with that. Look for a rod for that,” Ruto said.
The President also criticised cattle rustling, saying it entrenches poverty and loss in the region.
“While people are trading on the stock exchange, we are here on stock theft, which is stupid. This is bringing death, poverty and loss,” he said.
Ruto thanked the church for its role in promoting peace and reiterated his administration’s focus on stabilising the country through infrastructure development, energy production, agriculture, and education.