One individual has voluntarily surrendered an illegal AK-47 rifle in Samburu County as Kenya’s disarmament exercise gains momentum.
NPS say community sensitisation forums are building trust and encouraging compliance, with the initiative aimed at reducing illegal firearms and enhancing security across affected areas through sustained outreach and collaboration with local authorities and residents.
In a statement on Wednesday, the agency said the firearm was handed over together with four rounds of ammunition as part of a voluntary programme aimed at reducing the number of illegal weapons in circulation.
“As a direct result of these ongoing efforts, one individual voluntarily surrendered an illegally owned AK47 rifle yesterday, handed over together with four rounds of ammunition,” the service said.
The surrender comes amid a broader disarmament initiative being implemented across Suguta Mar Mar Ward, where authorities have been engaging local communities through sensitisation forums.
Police say the programme is designed to raise awareness about the dangers associated with illegal firearms while encouraging residents to comply voluntarily.
“The ongoing disarmament programme, complemented by a series of sensitisation forums being conducted across Suguta Mar Mar Ward in Samburu County, continues to make steady progress,” the statement said.
The forums are being conducted collaboratively by multiple agencies, including the National Police Service, National Government Administration Officers and other security bodies.
“These forums are focused on enhancing awareness of the dangers of illegal firearms and encouraging voluntary compliance among residents,” the service said.
Authorities said the approach reflects a shift towards community-based strategies that prioritise engagement and trust-building over enforcement alone.
The recent surrender has been highlighted as evidence that such efforts are beginning to yield results, even if progress remains gradual.
“This surrender reaffirms the growing confidence in the disarmament process and reflects the positive impact of continued community outreach,” the statement added.
Samburu County has long faced security challenges linked to the proliferation of illegal firearms, often associated with cattle rustling and inter-community conflict.
With the surrender, security data indicates that Samburu has recorded at least 90 firearms and 161 rounds of ammunition surrendered in earlier phases of the operation, reflecting gradual compliance among residents.
Interior security briefings further show that within the wider North Rift security operation zone, 148 firearms were recovered, including 96 voluntarily surrendered in Samburu alone, reaffirming the county’s central role in the exercise.
More recent regional updates suggest cumulative gains, with 249 illegal firearms and 1,758 rounds of ammunition recovered across affected counties as disarmament efforts intensified.
In the immediate lead-up to the latest Samburu surrender, security agencies reported continued momentum elsewhere, including 42 firearms handed over in Turkana and West Pokot, bringing the broader regional total to 348 recovered weapons.
In response, security agencies have increasingly adopted voluntary disarmament initiatives as a means of addressing the issue while maintaining cooperation with local communities.
The National Police Service said it would continue to support the programme and ensure its sustainability.
“The National Police Service will continue to ensure the programme remains active, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure environment for all residents of Samburu County,” it said.
NPS believe that sensitisation forums are central to the success of the initiative, as they provide a platform for dialogue and education at the grassroots level.
By working with local leaders and residents, authorities aim to build trust and encourage more individuals to surrender illegal firearms without fear of reprisal.
The collaborative nature of the programme, involving multiple government agencies, is also seen as a key factor in expanding its reach and effectiveness.
While the surrender of a single firearm may appear limited in scale, police say it represents an important step in a broader process that relies heavily on community participation.
The police have indicated that sustained engagement will be necessary to maintain momentum and achieve long-term results.
The disarmament exercise forms part of wider efforts to enhance security in northern Kenya, where illegal arms have contributed to instability over the years.
Police are urging residents to continue cooperating with the initiative and to take advantage of the voluntary framework to hand over any weapons in their possession.
As the programme continues, authorities say they remain committed to fostering a safer environment through a combination of awareness, collaboration and sustained action.
