By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, 16 January 2026 - The National Police Service’s Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Eliud Lagat has vowed that the security agencies will crush all criminal gangs in the North Eastern and coastal regions.
Lagat was speaking during a press briefing at the Madogo Police Station in Bangali sub-county, Tana River, after presiding over a pass out parade for 482 National Police Reservists (NPR) drawn from Lamu and Tana River counties.
The DIG further assessed the disarmament exercise for illegal firearms in Tana River County following the recent deadly inter clan clashes.
Lagat noted that the addition of the NPR officers will be key in containing the security situations in the region and urged them to serve with integrity.
“We want to incorporate the community into policing and in making sure that we manage the security situations in this region. This is a very good day for us because we expect these reservists to complement security operations in the region, especially as we deal with issues to do with banditry, terrorism, and livestock theft,” Lagat said.
“I expect a total turn around in response. The NPR are the first line in defence whenever security situations arise. They are good at giving us what we want especially in terms of intelligence collection and taking care of the community,” he added.
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At the same time, Lagat warned of a forceful disarmament process should the communities fail to surrender the illegal gun within a 60-day amnesty, which will end on 22 next month.
So far, nine firearms have already been surrendered to authorities in Bangali sub-county.
“The surrender of the nine firearms is as a result of close cooperation between police officers and the community, and especially after the regional security committee gave the people of Tana River an ultimatum of 60 days to voluntarily surrender the illegal firearms. This is a clear indication that the people want peace,” he said.
“The issue of criminal gangs, especially the terrorism; we want to tell them that we will continue to deal with them decisively and with the force that they are supposed to understand. Peace is paramount and we will continue to maintain it,” he added.
The DIG was accompanied by regional police commanders Papita Ranka (North Eastern), Ali Nuno (Coast) and the NPR Director Kenneth Kimani among other senior police officers.
