Bandits begin surrendering weapons as operation gets underway

Police in West Pokot, Turkana and Samburu counties have recovered several firearms just hours after President William Ruto issued an ultimatum to civilians to surrender illegally acquired guns. 

The National Police Service says the recovered firearms include an AK47 assault rifle and ARX-200 Barreta, which fires about 600 rounds per minute. 

The weapons were recovered in Amarel, Pokot Central sub-County, and Loyapat in Turkana South. 

NPS says the guns were recovered by "local administrators and opinion leaders." The AK47, which was "surrendered by a member of the public" in Baragoi had one magazine loaded with 3 rounds of ammunition. 

Earlier this week, President Ruto announced the launch of an operation to weed out the bandits who've been riding roughshod in several counties in the North Rift region. 

The operation is a joint effort between the police and Kenya Defence Forces. Hundreds of people have been killed and livestock stolen in the past few months as bandits target several villages with impunity. 

On Tuesday this week, Police Inspector General Japhet Koome visited Kainuk in Turkana County, one of the bandit-prone areas. 

He urged the officers to remain committed to serving country, and also assured them of the NPS support in the ongoing joint military-police operation.