798 Illegal Firearms Surrendered as Operation Maliza Uhalifu Intensifies Crackdown

At least 798 illegal firearms have been surrendered and thousands of rounds of ammunition recovered as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a multi-agency effort aimed at dismantling banditry networks in North Rift.

The government has also revealesd that security agencies have recovered 4,273 rounds of ammunition, arrested 286 suspects, and retrieved 21,724 stolen cattle

The operation, launched by the government in response to persistent insecurity in parts of Laikipia, Samburu, Baringo and Turkana, has involved the deployment of specialised police and security units tasked with disarming illegal groups and restoring stability in areas historically affected by cattle rustling and armed banditry.

Officials say the surrender of hundreds of weapons marks a major milestone in the campaign to reduce the circulation of illegal arms.

In towns such as Baragoi and parts of Samburu, community leaders say the once-frequent gunfire has subsided, allowing residents to move more freely at night and resume normal economic activities.

The government links the security gains to broader reforms in the country’s policing and security architecture. When President William Ruto took office in 2022, the administration pledged to reform the security sector, addressing concerns ranging from political interference and corruption to the welfare of police officers.

One of the early steps included granting the National Police Service greater financial independence and implementing reforms aimed at improving police professionalism and accountability.

Operation Maliza Uhalifu has since become the most visible component of those reforms on the ground, combining disarmament operations, arrests of suspected bandits and the recovery of stolen livestock.

Security analysts say that beyond the numbers of guns recovered, the real test of the operation will be whether it leads to long-term stability and economic recovery in the region.

For communities that have endured decades of insecurity, the success of the campaign could mark a turning point — replacing fear and conflict with safer conditions for trade, education and everyday life.

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