Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has disclosed that security agencies have seized over 900 illegal firearms from civilians across North Rift counties as part of an ongoing disarmament operation.

Speaking during an interdenominational service in West Pokot County on Sunday, January 4, 2026, CS Murkomen revealed that the recovered weapons include 350 firearms from Elgeyo Marakwet County, over 500 from Baringo County, including Tiaty Constituency, and 100 from West Pokot County.

“We have taken more than 350 guns from Elgeyo Marakwet County, over 500 from Baringo County, including Tiaty Constituency. I want to thank the honourable MPs here and honourable Kamket, and also Your Excellency. We have taken 100 guns in West Pokot County,” Murkomen stated.

No peace with illegal guns

The Interior CS stressed that lasting peace would remain elusive as long as illegal firearms were still in the hands of civilians, insisting that dialogue alone could not resolve insecurity in armed communities.

“I want to say, Your Excellency, that there will be no peace in Kenya, in any part of Kenya, if guns are still in the hands of citizens who should not have guns,” he stated.

Murkomen dismissed the effectiveness of peace meetings involving armed civilians, arguing that genuine dialogue cannot take place under the threat of violence.

“Even if we talk about peace here, how many peace meetings should I call? I have been a senator in this region. It is impossible to talk to someone who has a gun, to call them to a meeting to discuss peace at home when they have left the gun at home,” he added.

Unified disarmament drive

Murkomen revealed that leaders in the region have agreed with one voice that all firearms in the hands of unauthorised civilians must be surrendered to the government.

The Interior CS called on residents to participate in the government’s gun return program, emphasising that the disarmament exercise is crucial for restoring peace and security in the region.

“Therefore, we have agreed in one voice that whatever happens, all guns in the hands of citizens who are not security officers must be returned to the Government of Kenya through the program we have for returning guns to the government,” Murkomen stated.