𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫

The government is set to conduct a forceful disarmament of illegal firearms in Tana River county following the lapse of a 60-day-amnesty given earlier this year in order to restore peace and order in the county.

In recent days, Tana River county has experienced frequent deadly intercommunity clashes leaving dozens dead.

The latest clashes, last week involves Wardey and Degodia communities in Bangale sub county, where at least 6 people have lost their lives, including Bangale OCS lost his life through a cardiac arrest.

Speaking at the Tana River county commissioner’s office after receiving two firearms and six rounds of ammunition which were recently surrendered voluntarily, Coast regional Police Commander said that the final preparations for the disarmament operation had been completed.

At the same time, Nunow warned that the government will not hesitate to arrest any person, including politicians suspected to be inciting communities to violence.

“There are about six fatalities formally reported, and there also unconfirmed reports of militia and bandits engaging themselves in the forests, still we can’t confirm the exact number but so far, the official reported figure are six fatalities including the loss of life of our OCS Bangale, which was as a result of cardiac arrest,” Nunow said.

“The government is set. The forceful disarmament will take off anytime. We had given sixty days’ amnesty and immediately after the lapse of those days, there was the month of Ramadhan, and we had to look for resources as a government but now we are set. Between now and the commencement of that forceful disarmament, is a leeway for any person with a firearm to surrender. Any perpetrator of tribal and ethnic violence, and political intolerance must face the full force of the law,” he added.

Tana River county commissioner Joseph Mwangi on  his part called for a concerted effort by all stakeholders, including community and religious leaders to find a lasting solution for peace in the county.

He warned that the government would not tolerate any conflict in the area, noting that the county was not a battlefield for inter community conflicts.

“We will continue with the process of bringing peace in Tana River county. We will bring together all the communities, all the elders and religious leaders so that we unite in restoring peace,” Mwangi said.

“What we now want is a peaceful Tana River, not just for now but all through to the next year’s general elections. Forceful disarmament is a must. We have information on some people bringing other people from other areas to fight here, this is not a battlefield. Tana River is not a place of war,”  he added.