Private gun holder during previous gun drama in North Kamagambo

Security officers in Kuria are holding three illegal guns ahead of July 24 forced disarmament exercise set to kick off.

Ntimaru Assistant County Commissioner Kelvin Lewa said three gungs, two assault rifles; M16 and AK47, together with a ceska pistol stolen from a police officer station at Kehancha Police Station were returned back.

In nearby Narok county, 47 illegal guns have also been surrendered in a similar incident.

“Owning illegal firearms is unacceptable and we tell others that after the deadline we will use force to mop up all illegal guns,” Lewa said.

He said the guns followed an operation carried out by police and local community.

“One of the rifles has Tanzania registration showing how criminals are using the porous border to push through insecurity in the Kuria region,” he said.

Lewa said the exercise came after two people from the same family were murdered in cold blood by cattle rustlers from the area.

Wangirabose location area chief Ayub Magahiwa said residents who are uncomfortable to give up their guns can approach nearby police stations..

Residents of Kuria West and East Sub Counties in Migori have up to July 24 to surrender all illegal fire arms in their possession, in an order issued by Nyanza regional Commissioner Moffat Kangi.