Tana River Resident Hands Over AK-47 as Police Push Illegal Gun Crackdown

Photo File of Kenya Police Vehicle

The National Police Service (NPS) has recovered another illegal firearm after a resident voluntarily surrendered an AK-47 rifle in Tana River County. Police say the latest development highlights growing public support for the government's disarmament campaign.

The Service announced the recovery on Tuesday, June 30, through its official X account. Officers based at Waldena Police Station in Galedyertu Sub-County received the weapon on Monday after a resident from Kalalani presented it to them.

Police Recover Rifle

Officers recovered one AK-47 rifle during the handover. They also secured one magazine and three rounds of 9mm ammunition before opening the required investigations.

Police described the surrender as another positive outcome of community engagement. They said residents now play a bigger role in helping security agencies remove illegal weapons from circulation.

“This voluntary surrender is testament to the co-operation between security agencies and the community in ongoing efforts to enhance peace and stability in the region. We encourage others who are still keeping illegal firearms to surrender them to the security authorities,” NPS said.

NPS Seeks More Public Support

The Service appealed to more people holding illegal firearms to surrender them without delay. It also encouraged Kenyans to report criminal activities through emergency numbers 999 and 911 or anonymously through the #FichuaKwaDCI platform.

Police believe timely information from the public strengthens crime prevention efforts. They said community participation remains one of the most effective tools in improving security.

Earlier Disarmament Exercise

The latest recovery follows another successful disarmament exercise in Tana River earlier this year. In January, residents of Bangale Sub-County voluntarily handed over five illegal firearms and 13 rounds of ammunition.

The cache included three AK-47 rifles and two G3 rifles. Security agencies hailed the exercise as evidence that cooperation between communities and the government continues to improve.

Crackdown Continues

The government has intensified operations against illegal firearms in several parts of the country. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently directed residents in Kuria East, Kuria West and Transmara South to surrender illegal weapons within seven days.

Murkomen also warned people involved in supplying ammunition to criminals. Security agencies say they will sustain the crackdown while encouraging more voluntary surrenders to improve public safety and restore lasting peace in affected regions.