Police give Narok residents 2 days to surrender illegal firearms
A Kenya Wildlife Service ranger based at Esoit in Trans Mara was gunned down by unknown assailants who ambushed him in a local bar on Saturday, June 23, 2018. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- A KWS ranger was shot and killed in a bar in Esoit, Narok County last week while watching a football match.
- Gun suspected to have been used in the shooting found in Murkan.
- Police have decried increasing cases of armed robberies linked to proliferation of illegal firearms.
Some residents in Trans Mara, Narok County are sleeping in the bush despite the cold weather after police announced an illegal firearms mop up.
The police operation comes amid the killing of a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) ranger last week and increased cases of armed robberies in the region.
Mr Simon Kimiti, a resident of Esoit where the KWS ranger was killed, said that he spent last night in the biting cold and fears he may come down with pneumonia.
“The operation has coincided with the chilly July weather which could be dangerous for our health,” said Mr Kevin Kibet, another resident.
GUN FOUND
On Thursday night, police recovered an AK-47 gun they suspect was used in the murder of the KWS ranger.
The gun was found in an early morning swoop at Murkan as Narok County Commissioner George Natembeya warned of an impending mop up of illegal firearms linked to a spate of robberies in the region.
The ranger, Mr Samwel Okumu, was ambushed and killed by unknown people while watching a World Cup match in a bar at Esoit trading centre on Saturday last week.
"One suspect has also been arrested and will soon be arraigned in court,” said Mr Natembeya.
The county commissioner decried rising cases of insecurity in the region which he attributed to the proliferation of small arms.
Mr Natembeya issued a two-day ultimatum to civilians to surrender illegal firearms.
"The rise of robbery incidents and muggings has prompted a major arms recovery to restore peace and order in the entire region,” said Mr Natembeya.
In the past, similar killings have caused deadly clashes between different communities at Esoit and Pimbinyiet areas.
The month-long exercise will be spearheaded by Superintendent of Police Abdullahi Ali, County Administration Police Commandant Thomas Ngeywa and Trans Mara East Deputy County Commissioner Mohammed Dakane.
Trans Mara West Deputy County commissioner Mohammed Noor said that police will conduct a “targeted operation” to apprehend all those conducting indiscriminate attacks on innocent people.
He said that a bar attendant and two other people who were injured in the Esoit attack have been discharged from hospital.
“We are not going to harass anyone, but are only going for the rogue elements who have frustrated efforts to ensure peace prevails in the region,” said Mr Noor.
