Police have recovered two firearms from suspected bandits in West Pokot County.
In a statement issued via social media on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the National Police Service (NPS) said two suspects were arrested in connection with the recovered firearms.
Multi-agency operation
NPS in the statement says the operation was conducted on September 8, 2024, by a multi-agency team at General Service Unit (GSU) Turkwel camp.
Through the aid of members of the public, the police managed to arrest the suspects at the Turkwel shopping centre.
“On September 8, 2024, the multi-agency team at GSU Turkwel Camp in West Pokot County recovered two guns, two magazines, and three rounds from two suspected bandits who were later arrested by the multi-agency team at Turkwel shopping Centre. The National Police Service appreciates members of public for their continued cooperation and support,” the NPS statement reads.
This comes ahead of the upcoming International Day of Peace for the year 2024, that will be celebrated in West Pokot County on September 21, 2024.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has since initiated preparations for the event.
Eradicating bandits
The government has committed to eradicate banditry in the country.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki in March 2024 called on leaders from the National Assembly to utilise their Constituency Development Funds( CDF) to set up infrastructure for administrative units.
With the set up of administrative units, Kindiki said whenever there are security issues, the officers stationed at the units will be able to respond promptly.
“By establishing infrastructure for administrative units, we will send in more security officers and persons can access government services easily,” Kindiki said when she spoke during a consultative meeting with Turkana leaders in March 2024.