Frontier Eye Desk
Kabarnet, Baringo County.
President William Ruto has issued a tough warning to residents of Baringo County, ordering all civilians holding illegal firearms to surrender them immediately or face “the full force of the law.”
Speaking during a roadside rally in Kabarnet Town on Tuesday, the President said the government is escalating its crackdown on banditry and illegal arms that have long fueled insecurity in the North Rift.
“We know everyone who has a gun and we are coming for it,” Ruto declared.
“Those holding illegal weapons used in crime should surrender them now. If you defy, the consequences will be dire,” he warned.
Ruto directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to lead the disarmament campaign to ensure all illegal firearms are recovered and kept solely under security forces.
Murkomen, who accompanied the President, reported that over 600 illegal guns have been recovered across the Kerio Valley since the latest disarmament push began, including 170 from Baringo County. He urged remaining holders to hand over their weapons through chiefs or police stations, promising leniency for those who comply but stern action against defiers.
The President’s directive builds on the broader Operation Maliza Uhalifu, which has brought relative calm to parts of the North Rift. Earlier this year, Ruto oversaw the destruction of more than 6,000 illegal firearms seized nationwide.
Ruto linked the disarmament drive to his government’s development agenda, saying lasting peace was essential for progress.
During his Baringo tour, he inspected the 100-kilometer Marigat–Mochongoi–Karandi–Ol Ngarua–Muhotetu–Junction C77 and Muhotetu–Sipili road projects, now 60 percent complete, and commissioned the Kasoyo–Kampi Samaki Road. He said the projects will open up markets, promote farming, and boost tourism around Lakes Baringo and Bogoria.
“For a long time, Baringo has been troubled by insecurity. Time has come to deal with it decisively,” the President said.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ruto described the 600-gun recovery as a “significant milestone” toward lasting peace, vowing to “completely sort out armed cattle thieves.”
Residents expressed cautious optimism that tighter security and new infrastructure could finally unlock Baringo’s economic potential.
Ruto’s tour also touched on local politics, with reports of a deal between him and KANU chairman Gideon Moi to fast-track multi-billion-shilling projects in exchange for Moi’s withdrawal from the Baringo senatorial by-election.
“Hatuwezi kuishi ati ni county ya mayatima (we cannot live as a county of orphans),” Ruto said, calling for unity and collective responsibility.