By John Lepeto
More than 200 assorted high calibre rifles and thousands of ammunition have been netted in the last one month during the ongoing security operation in Marsabit that started in May and which was last week extended for extra 30 days.
The weapons are suspected to have been used in recent attacks.
Proliferation of illegal firearms has been blamed over the spate of incessant banditry attacks, inter-clan conflicts and organized crime witnessed in the county in the recent past.
Many lives have been lost, others maimed, properties destroyed and families displaced in past incidences.
The situation prompted imposition of a curfew in Marsabit and declaration of Kom in neighbouring Isiolo County as a disturbed area for the purpose of restoring security and normalcy.
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai and other security officials Monday visited Marsabit to access the ongoing operation.
Dr Matiang’i said the operation will continue until 5000 firearms in wrong hands are handed over to authorities.
“There are more guns than the ones we have collected that must be recovered,” he said.
