As residents celebrate the return of peace and security to the once-volatile Kerio Valley, the government continues to urge locals to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms, paving the way for development and unlocking the region’s economic potential.
Speaking at Chesombur in West Pokot County during an interdenominational church service to celebrate the restoration of peace in the region, H.E. President William Ruto commended the progress that has been made in securing the region while sending a firm warning to those in possession of illegal firearms to surrender voluntarily.
“We faced many challenges here in Kerio Valley, people were dying and killing each other, livestock was being stolen, and children could not go to school. But now, everything is different. Today, we thank God in a special way for helping us restore peace,” said the Head of State.
“No Kenyan has any business possessing a gun to look after their livestock. We therefore call on anyone in possession of an illegal firearm to surrender it voluntarily before we come for them,” he warned.
The President commended the Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary and the security team for their successful efforts in pacifying the region, while reaffirming his full support.
“You have my 100% support as you undertake the responsibility to sustain peace in this region,” he said.
“We cannot achieve lasting peace while people still possess illegal firearms,” said CS Murkomen, urging locals to take advantage of the ongoing olive-branch window to voluntarily surrender illegal weapons.
“We have agreed that all firearms in the hands of unlicensed individuals must be surrendered through our ongoing ‘Rudisha Bunduki’ program,” the CS stated.
Embracing the new nickname ‘John the Baptist,’ CS Murkomen stated that the government was scaling up security operations in parts of West Pokot, Turkana, and other areas across the country that continue to face security challenges.
“I’ve been nicknamed ‘John the Baptist’ here, and that baptism symbolizes our intensification of efforts to restore peace in the remaining parts of Turkana, West Pokot, and other areas across the country still facing security challenges,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to opening up the region through development, the President pledged to pursue affirmative action measures aimed at unlocking economic opportunities and transforming lives in these historically marginalised areas.
Later, led by the President, the leaders inspected the ongoing construction of the Barpelo–Tot–Marich Pass Road, whose completion will open up the region and connect Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Turkana, and Baringo counties to life-transforming economic opportunities.
