Turkana south sub county residents have so far surrendered 53 guns and 300 rounds of ammunition since the government offered an arms amnesty three months ago.
Turkana South deputy county commissioner Philip Sigei said the residents have been cooperating with security agencies three months since the exercise of surrendering firearms to the security agencies began.
“We have engaged the residents in barazas together with the chiefs on the need to surrender the firearms and assured them that the government will provide them with security,” Sigei said at Lokichar Wednesday. Some of the guns were displayed to the press.
County police commander Samuel Ndanyi has also assured the residents of protection saying they do not need to have the firearms.
The government started voluntary disarmament of the communities living in North rift to contain insecurity especially cattle rustling.
Possession of firearms by locals has been cited as one of the factors fueling conflict in the North rift region.
The government will use force to recover the illegal firearms in the hands of the civilians once the three months amnesty period elapses.
Meanwhile, the Rift valley regional commissioner George Natembeya has threatened to take action against chiefs who fail to resolve insecurity in their locations.
By Peter Gitonga
