More herders register firearms in Isiolo

The ongoing registration of illegal firearms received a boost when six herders from Mbarabate area of Garbatula in Isiolo surrendered their unlicensed rifles for registration by the county security team.

The move, according to Garbatula OCPD Kioko Nyamai, is expected to trigger a desire by other pastoralists to register their firearms and dispel the fear of being disarmed.

The surrendering of the firearm by the pastrolist is in line with calls by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery to have all firearms in the hands of civilians registered as a way of countering the escalating cases of insecurity.

The illegal firearms have contributed to the ever rising cases of cattle rustling and banditry in the Northern part of the country with Isiolo and Garissa Counties being hotspots for bandits.

Nkaissery warned the pastoralists against purchasing new rifles saying that they risk being disarmed if the government finds small arms proliferation in the country high.

He said that all the herders who register their arms would be issued with licences to legitimize their ownership.

The number of illegal firearms registered in Isiolo since the start of this exercise has now reached 29 with only Merti Sub County failing to register even a single rifle. In Garbatula Sub County, 10 firearms have been registered while Isiolo Central has registered 19 rifles.

The registered gun holders are now expected to add to the number of Kenya Police Reservists and work under their area OCPD.