Roundup: Kenya orders feuding communities to surrender illegal firearms

The Kenyan government on Thursday issued a one week ultimatum on feuding communities in northwest region in possession of illegally acquired firearms to register, surrender them or face the full force of the law.

National Security Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery warned that the government will not condone acts of lawlessness.

"You either register, surrender all the guns that you have illegally or we take them by force," warned Nkaissery after an extensive tour of cattle rustling prone Baringo-Turkana-West Pokot border to assess security situation.

Proliferation of small arms is to blame for tribal skirmishes and cattle rustling in Kenya's northern frontier districts.

The East African nation is surrounded by neighboring countries that for a long time experienced civil strife which immensely contributed to the influx of the illegal weapons into the hands of gangsters and cattle rustlers.

In rural northern Kenya, small arms have replaced traditional weapons in ethnic warfare over pasture, water and livestock.

Nkaissery said firm security measures have been put in place to bring to an end incessant banditry and cattle rustling activities.

The CS expressed concern that more than 6,000 pupils were not in schools after 20 learning institutions were closed down due to insecurity saying everything was being done to restore law and order in the area.

"I am shocked at the state of things here and we will not allow this to continue. When I took over this position on December 24, last year, I promised Kenyans that I will do the much I can to restore law and order across the country," he said.

"I have to deliver as per the president's wish and the constitution which guarantees all Kenyans of their security," he added.

The CS expressed outrage over destruction of water pipes, solar panels, boreholes and homes by suspected cattle rustlers saying the government will ensure the perpetrators were brought to book.

He warned local leaders and elders that stern action will be taken against individuals who incited people to engage in acts of lawlessness for their selfish political gains.

"Leaders should demonstrate their seriousness in fighting insecurity and desist from activities which can cause tension and hatred among the people," he said.

Both Pokot and Turkana communities have been feuding for many years over cattle rustling and search for pastures including water points since both are pastoralists.

Security officers have also mounted a security operation to flush out bandits who terrorized residents for long.

Livestock herding is the main livelihood and source of income in northern and some parts of eastern Kenya, and the hike in cattle thefts threatens to ignite cross-community reprisals and raids that could set the stage for a surge in ethnic fighting in the region.

Clashes between the rival cattle herding pastoralists in the region are common, with herders often carrying guns to protect their animals, but the recent fighting has been unusually heavy. Endi