The guns are falling silent in the Valley of Death. In a significant breakthrough for the government’s peace initiative, two illegal firearms and ten rounds of ammunition have been voluntarily surrendered to police at the Tot Police Station in Kerio Valley.

This development is a direct fruit of the ongoing dialogue-led disarmament exercise aimed at ending the perennial banditry that has paralyzed the region. The National Police Service (NPS) hailed the surrender as a "key milestone," attributing it to restored trust between the security agencies and the local community.

Voices from the Valley

"A firearm in the wrong hands is a death sentence for our children," said a local elder who facilitated the surrender. The recovery comes just a week after 11 other guns were handed over in Tana River, signaling a national trend toward voluntary disarmament. The government’s 60-day amnesty window is proving effective, offering bandits a way out without facing prosecution.

• The Strategy: Unlike previous "forceful" operations that alienated locals, the current approach combines intelligence-led raids with community barazas. "We are winning the hearts and minds," stated a senior police commander.
• The Persistent Threat: Despite these gains, the region remains volatile. Critics argue that two guns are a drop in the ocean compared to the estimated thousands of illicit weapons in circulation. "We need total disarmament, not token gestures," warned a local MP.

A Fragile Peace

The recovered weapons—often AK-47 variants—are remnants of cross-border conflicts and cattle rustling syndicates. By removing even two from circulation, the police have potentially saved dozens of lives.

"We will not tire until every illegal gun is silenced," the NPS vowed on social media. For the mothers of Kerio Valley, who have buried too many sons, this promise cannot be kept soon enough.