Police recovered two illegal firearms an AK47 rifle and a G3 rifle during an operation in the Achers Post area on December 26. The recovery of these weapons comes after an alarming robbery incident, which was captured on CCTV, where a man wielding a rifle entered a shop and robbed both the attendants and customers at gunpoint.
The multi-agency operation, part of the broader Maliza Uhalifu initiative, has been pivotal in combating rising crime, including cattle rustling, in Kenya’s North Rift region. The operation saw a swift response from the Kalama multi-agency roadblock team after receiving information about an individual suspected to possess firearms in the Waso area. This led to the search that resulted in the recovery of not only the two rifles but also nine bullets and a separate magazine from the suspect’s house.
The police teams, although unable to apprehend the suspect, managed to secure the firearms, which were later handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for ballistic examination. Authorities are keen to determine whether the recovered weapons have been used in other criminal activities, including cattle rustling, a persistent issue in the region.
The Maliza Uhalifu operation, launched in February 2023, targets escalating banditry and violent crime in the North Rift. Its impact is already evident, with the Ministry of Interior reporting a 62% reduction in cattle rustling incidents. The number of livestock stolen has dropped drastically from 63,054 to 23,668, a reduction of nearly 40,000 heads of cattle. Additionally, 172 illegal firearms have been seized, and over 10,000 livestock have been recovered as part of the ongoing security sweep.
The operation, which involves both the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), focuses on nine counties including Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Meru. These areas, once deemed highly volatile, are now categorized under a multi-agency security operation aimed at restoring peace and stability.
While the operation has made notable progress, law enforcement agencies continue their hunt for the suspect in the Achers Post incident. The government’s commitment to reducing crime in the region and restoring normalcy is reflected in the strategic and coordinated efforts to dismantle criminal networks that fuel violence and insecurity in these areas.
