Illegal Firearm Holders in Tot, Kerio Valley Ordered to Surrender them

Anyone holding illegal firearms in Tot, Kerio Valley, has been given a 24-hour deadline to turn them in, warns Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

Lagat also directed a beefing up of security operations to target and apprehend criminals threatening the region's stability, adding that firearms should be handed over to chiefs, elders, or the National Police Reservists.

He has temporarily halted all local security peace meetings led by village elders to allow police to conduct security operations more effectively.

The 24-hour ultimatum to surrender arms came during a visit to Tot on Friday, following a recent rise in banditry-related crimes. While there, he held a security meeting with representatives from Kerio Valley, Pokot Central, and Tiaty West sub-counties.

From my discussions with commanders, it's clear that government interventions since last year have significantly improved security, leading to a 70 percent reduction in banditry and crime," Lagat stated.

However, he acknowledged a recent spike in criminal activity over the past three weeks, which has resulted in several deaths.

"I want to warn these criminals—many of whom we already know. They are widespread, but we will deploy a multi-agency team with one mission: to flush them out," he warned.