An illegal firearm has been recovered in Laikipia following a security operation in Laikipia North Sub County. The firearm has been used to conduct criminal activities in the area.
The security operation that is aimed at smoking out criminals in the Mukogodo bandit-infested forest has seen the multi-agency security team unearth two AK47 rifles in a span of weeks.
“The security team has received an illegal firearm, an AK 47 with serial number 078700, complete with two rounds of ammunition,” revealed Laikipia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri.
Mukogodo forest, which has since been declared disturbed and dangerous zone in the ongoing security operations in other areas of West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and Samburu counties, the government urged residents to take advantage of amnesty to surrender firearms in their possessions.
“We believe there are many firearms being held illegally by civilians, we request that they be surrendered to the government. Amnesty has been issued to those who will do it voluntarily,” Kanyiri had said in a past media interview, at the same time noting that there could be more firearms in the hands of civilians.
Last week’s incident saw police recover an AK-47 rifle, magazine pouch and two rounds of ammunition in the Doldol area through a sting security operation.
Meanwhile, this comes in the wake of the parliamentary committee on administration and internal security that is set to visit Baringo and Laikipia counties, respectively, to assess the security situation today until Saturday this week.
By Muturi Mwangi
