Kenyan Police Arrest Dozens and Seize Weapons in Major North Rift Security Operation
Kenyan authorities have arrested dozens of suspects and recovered a cache of illegal weapons in a large-scale, multi-agency security operation targeting criminal gangs and bandit networks in the volatile North Rift region. The operation, which involved police and the military, was launched to dismantle the infrastructure of armed groups responsible for cattle rustling, kidnappings, and violent attacks that have displaced thousands and crippled the local economy.
According to a police report, the security sweep led to the seizure of dozens of assault rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and stolen livestock. The arrests included individuals suspected of being directly involved in recent killings, as well as others believed to be financiers and planners of the criminal activities. The operation focused on known bandit hideouts and supply routes in the vast, remote areas where state presence has historically been weak.
The government has described the operation as a decisive step toward restoring lasting peace in the region, which spans counties like Turkana, West Pokot, and Baringo. A police spokesperson stated that the security forces will maintain their presence to prevent the gangs from regrouping. The operation represents one of the most significant recent actions by the state to address the long-standing insecurity in the North Rift, where inter-communal violence over pasture and water resources has been exacerbated by the proliferation of illegal arms.