The government’s amnesty-led disarmament operation in Tana River County is bearing fruit, but security officials warn the region is still awash with illegal weapons. In a significant breakthrough, community elders have surrendered nine assault rifles—seven AK-47s and two G3s—to the police in Bangale, preventing potential bloodshed in the volatile corridor.

Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei displayed the rusty but functional weaponry to the press, hailing the surrender as a victory for "dialogue over force." The recovered firearms are believed to have been used in inter-communal clashes over water and pasture that claimed 14 lives in December 2025.

The Amnesty Window

"We are telling those holding these weapons: the window is closing," Koskei warned. "Bring them to the chiefs, to the elders, or to the mosques. No questions will be asked. But once the amnesty expires next week, we are coming for you door-to-door, and it will not be polite."

• The Conflict Economy: Intelligence reports suggest that arms traffickers are exploiting the porous border with Somalia to arm rival pastoralist groups. An AK-47 in the region reportedly trades for as little as three camels.
• Community Trust: The involvement of the Council of Elders has been pivotal. "The gun brings only tears," said Elder Ali Wario. "We have decided to trust the government to protect us, so we are giving up the guns. But the government must now do its job."

As the drought season approaches, heightening competition for resources, removing these weapons from circulation is a race against time to prevent the next cycle of violence.