NAIROBI, Kenya — Residents of Baringo County have surrendered a total of 567 illegal firearms and 1,861 rounds of ammunition over the past year.
The Kenya Police Service (KPS) said the latest handover — involving four AK-47 rifles and 25 rounds of ammunition — underscores growing cooperation between communities and security agencies under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a voluntary disarmament initiative.
Police noted that the amnesty-based approach has helped rebuild trust in a county long affected by banditry, cattle rustling and inter-communal violence.
“Firearms surrender in Baringo has now reached 567 rifles and 1,861 rounds of ammunition. The amnesty period remains open,” the police said in a statement on Tuesday.
Firearms Surrender in Baringo Reaches 567. Residents have voluntarily surrendered 4 more AK-47s and 25 rounds under #OperationMalizaUhalifu, pushing the 1-year total to 567 rifles and 1,861 rounds.The amnesty period is still open. #OperationMalizaUhalifu
Authorities described the steady rise in voluntary handovers as evidence that dialogue and community-led policing are yielding results, reducing reliance on force and minimising the risk of violent confrontations.
Earlier in the year, police reported several similar recoveries. On November 16, 2025, four illegally held rifles, along with magazines and ammunition, were surrendered in Orus Location, Tiaty East Sub-County.
Days earlier, on November 9, another firearm was handed in by a member of the public in Mukutani Sub-County, bringing the county’s total at the time to 271 weapons and 879 rounds.
Security agencies have consistently credited local leaders, peace committees and residents for persuading armed civilians to surrender weapons without fear of arrest during the amnesty period.
Baringo is part of a wider North Rift peace stabilisation programme targeting insecurity hotspots through dialogue, community policing and voluntary disarmament.
Police say the strategy has helped prevent attacks and recover weapons before they are used.
President William Ruto has repeatedly pledged to rid the Rift Valley of illegal firearms, insisting that peace is essential for development.
Speaking recently during an interdenominational church service at Chesombur in West Pokot County, the President said the government had made notable progress in restoring calm in the Kerio Valley, a region that has endured decades of deadly conflict.
“We have made significant progress in restoring unity, peace and stability in Kerio Valley,” Ruto said, noting that insecurity had stalled development in education, transport, water and electricity.
The President warned armed civilians to surrender illegal weapons voluntarily, saying the era of unlawful gun ownership was coming to an end.
“Anyone with a firearm who is not a police officer should bring it to the police or a church leader. If not, we will come for it,” he said.
Ruto also criticised cattle rustling, describing it as a driver of poverty and loss, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace across West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and neighbouring counties.
