Residents of Bangale Sub-County in Tana River County voluntarily surrendered five illegal firearms and ammunition to authorities on January 9, 2026, in a move aimed at enhancing peace and security in the coastal region.

According to the National Police Service (NPS) on X, the handover included three AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, and 13 rounds of ammunition. The weapons were received by a multi-agency security team in Madogo and are now in safe custody pending further administrative procedures.

“Yesterday, residents of Bangale Sub-County voluntarily surrendered five illegal firearms (three AK-47s and two G3 rifles) and 13 rounds of ammunition to a multi-agency security team in Madogo. The items have been placed in safe custody pending further administrative action,” read the NPS X post dated January 10, 2026.

Disarmament efforts

The NPS described the surrender as a significant success for the ongoing national disarmament initiative, which encourages citizens to hand over illicit arms without fear of immediate prosecution during the designated amnesty period. The voluntary action demonstrates growing public responsiveness to government directives and trust in security agencies.

This development follows a 60-day ultimatum issued by the Coast Region Security Council in late December 2025, urging residents in conflict-prone areas of Bangale and surrounding sub-counties to surrender illegal firearms to prevent further inter-clan violence.

Similar programmes in other parts of the country, including the North Rift, have yielded notable results, with hundreds of rifles and thousands of rounds surrendered in counties such as Baringo in recent months.

“This voluntary surrender marks a significant success for the ongoing national disarmament initiative, which aims to enhance public safety, peace, and security through community cooperation and trust. The National Police Service commends members of the public and local leadership for their collaboration and responsiveness to the government’s directive.”

Authorities urge compliance

The National Police Service commended the residents of Bangale Sub-County and local leaders for their swift compliance and cooperation.

“Any individual in possession of an illegal firearm is urged to take advantage of the amnesty period and surrender it,” the NPS statement read. The Service reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and encouraged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities through toll-free lines.

The voluntary surrender of firearms underscores the effectiveness of community-driven approaches in reducing insecurity. Authorities hope that continued engagement with residents and compliance with the disarmament process will lead to lasting peace, reduced violence, and improved socio-economic stability in Tana River and other affected regions.

The NPS remains vigilant, balancing encouragement for voluntary compliance with readiness to enforce the law where necessary, as part of broader national security objectives.