Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a warning to individuals involved in cross-border guns and bullets smuggling, revealing that security agencies have already identified and are monitoring key suspects.
Speaking in Kapenguria on Thursday, July 17, Murkomen warned that arrests are imminent and no one will be spared when the government cracks the whip.
"The police have mapped out people who are engaged in this trade and I just need to warn them because many of them wear suits and own vehicles. We know them, we have their numbers, they are being monitored and they are due to be arrested," he said.
Murkomen stated that consequences will be severe, making it clear that individuals caught up in the crackdown should not expect leniency.
"I want to warn them that if they find themselves in the crossfire, they should not come here crying saying that the police should have done 'this or that'. The consequences will be extremely dire; and we are not laughing about this," he added.
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Murkomen assured residents of the North Rift that security operations will be intelligence-led and conducted with precision, targeting only those involved in the illegal trade.
"I want to tell the people of the North Rift, that our security agencies are going to have targeted, well-surveilled and intelligence-covered operations; we will pick people from their villages and take them through a justice process," he further said.
This comes days after the Ministry of Interior declared thirteen areas in Marsabit County as security disturbed and dangerous due to insecurity in the region.
Murkomen made the announcement in a notice dated Thursday, July 10, citing the authority granted under the National Police Service Act.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 106 (6) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, in consultation with the National Security Council, extends the declaration made on 9th May, 2025, declaring parts of Marsabit County as security disturbed and dangerous," the notice read.
The affected areas are Hillo Gorgora, Hillo Orofa, Hillo Walkite, Hillo Tanzania, Hillo Irress Abamartille and Hillo Gootu.
Others are Hillo Tessum Qalicha, Hillo Karray, Hillo Hudda, Hillo Qoranjido, Hillo Irress Shindia, Hillo Rabaalee and Hillo Godde Haroressa.
Subsequently, the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja banned possession of firearms in the aforementioned areas.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 106 (2) (a) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, the Inspector-General of National Police Service prohibits the possession of arms in the following parts of Marsabit County declared as security disturbed and dangerous," he said in a gazette notice.
Additionally, Kanja directed residents in the affected areas to surrender any firearms they own to nearby police or administrative offices.
“On the taking effect of this notice, all inhabitants of the said areas are ordered, with immediate effect, to surrender all arms in their possession to the nearest Police Station, Police Post, Police Camp and National Government Administration offices during the hours of the day for safe custody,” he added.
