Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno has issued a three-day ultimatum to individuals illegally possessing firearms in Tana River County. He said security agencies will begin a forceful disarmament operation against those who fail to surrender their weapons.
The warning comes amid renewed ethnic clashes and incidents of political intolerance that have left several people dead and heightened tensions in parts of the county.
Mr. Nuno said the government had completed public sensitization and mobilization efforts ahead of the operation and urged all illegal firearm holders to voluntarily surrender their weapons.
“I have a message for the bandits, the militia and the perpetrators of political intolerance, ethnic and tribal clashes in Tana River. Your time is up,” he said.
The regional police chief directed all individuals in possession of illegal firearms to hand them over immediately, saying the government would no longer tolerate armed groups operating in the county.
“You have to surrender all the firearms in your possession now. The forceful disarmament process is almost complete. We have done the mobilization, and therefore you need to surrender all the firearms in your possession,” Nuno said.
He warned that anyone found with an illegal firearm, planning attacks, or inciting one community against another would face criminal prosecution.
“Any person found with an illegal firearm, planning to attack, or inciting one community against another will face the full force of the law,” he said.
Nuno said security agencies were ready to launch the operation at any time, stressing that authorities had given residents sufficient notice to comply voluntarily.
“My word is: surrender, submit. If not, face the full force of the law,” he said.
Authorities have appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies and report individuals suspected of possessing illegal weapons or inciting violence as part of efforts to prevent further bloodshed.
