Kenya plans big disarmament exercise in northern region

Xinhua
Friday, June 14, 2013

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The Kenya government will soon begin a disarmament exercise in northern Kenya, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku told journalists in Nairobi that the communities living in the area have agreed to embrace peace and security and focus their energies in development activities.

“A disarmament exercise will be carried out in order recover all government firearms stolen by bandits,” Lenku said during a joint media brief with top police officers.

The announcement comes after peace has been restored in the northern region following inter-communal clashes.

Lenku noted the government will also scale up efforts to arrest those involved in cattle rustling in order to deter others from participating in similar acts. “We will recruit more police reservists who are well equipped so that security is maintained,” he said.

The cabinet secretary said that all political leaders has also agreed to preach peace so that animosity is not spread.

The government has also planned a workshop that will deliberate on the security challenges in the region.

“All government departments including those responsible for infrastructure sector will be present in order to support projects in the affected areas,” he said.

“The aim is to open up the area for development so that locals can find alternative means of livelihood,” he said.

Interior Principal Secretary nominee Mutea Iringo said that county governments should complement national government security efforts.

Several people have lost their lives due to grenade attacks and inter-ethnic fighting in northern Kenya.

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