President William Ruto has introduced a unique approach to disarmament in West Pokot County, asking residents with illegal firearms to hand them over to church leaders.
Speaking during an interdenominational service in Chesombur, West Pokot, the President warned:
“Everyone who has a gun, and you are not a police officer, hurry up, bring the gun, give it to the Bishop. If you do not do that, we will come and take that gun. And if we come and take that gun, you will regret it.”
The directive comes amid ongoing insecurity in the region, where illegal guns contribute to cattle rustling and inter-community conflicts. West Pokot has long faced violence fueled by competition over resources, cultural practices, and porous borders with neighboring conflict-prone areas.
Recent incidents, including border killings between West Pokot and Turkana County in November 2025, forced hundreds of families to flee their homes. The government’s “Operation Rudisha Bunduki” has made progress, with over 600 illegal firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition surrendered in late 2025.
Ruto stressed that guns have no role in civilian life. “There are people who pretend to herd cattle with guns. No cattle will be herded with guns. Find a stick,” he said.
Community programs, including sports and cross-border development initiatives, are also being used to reduce tensions. Joint committees, like the Karamoja Affairs delegation between Kenya and Uganda, continue working on long-term conflict resolution.
The President’s message signals a renewed push to restore peace and development in West Pokot.
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