Three Illegal Firearms Surrendered in Tana River Disarmament Push

Kenya, July 10, 2026 - Three illegally held firearms and 43 rounds of ammunition have been voluntarily surrendered in Tana River County, signalling growing public cooperation with the government's ongoing disarmament campaign aimed at ending recurring inter-ethnic violence in the region.

The National Police Service (NPS) said the weapons were handed over on July 9 in separate recoveries across the county through a community-led initiative involving residents and security agencies.

In Bangale, members of the public surrendered two AK-47 rifles and 35 rounds of ammunition to a multi-agency security team. In a separate incident in Tana North Sub-County, another firearm and eight rounds of ammunition were voluntarily handed over.

Police said the recoveries demonstrate increasing trust between local communities and security agencies, with residents opting to cooperate in efforts to remove illegal firearms from circulation.

"The multi-agency approach, working closely with local stakeholders, continues to create an environment in which members of the public are increasingly choosing dialogue and cooperation over silence," the NPS said in a statement.

The service said regular engagement with residents has helped build confidence and encouraged the peaceful surrender of illegally held weapons, with the aim of enhancing public safety and promoting lasting peace.

The latest recoveries come as the government intensifies implementation of a 60-day ultimatum issued to residents in parts of Tana River to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms or face security operations.

The disarmament exercise follows renewed efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons blamed for fuelling deadly inter-ethnic clashes and insecurity in the county.

Just a week ago, members of the regional security team toured Tana River to assess the security situation and rally community leaders behind the government's peace and disarmament campaign. The visit underscored the state's commitment to restoring stability in an area that has experienced repeated cycles of ethnic conflict over grazing land, water resources and political disputes.

The National Police Service appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing information on illegal firearms and criminal activities, saying community participation remains critical to achieving sustainable peace in the county.