Elite Forces Launch Aggressive Gun Seizure Operation in Kenya's Turkana Region
Turkana West, 13 March 2026
Kenya’s Special Operations Group has initiated a controversial security crackdown in Turkana County, forcing residents into mandatory public meetings where suspected illegal gun owners are named publicly. The elite paramilitary unit gave communities a three-day ultimatum to surrender weapons as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, which began in February 2023. Local residents report being physically compelled to attend these gatherings, with some allegedly beaten for delays. The operation targets the volatile Turkana-West Pokot border region, where banditry has plagued communities for decades. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen warned that the crackdown would be ‘painful for profiled bandits and their sponsors’, emphasising that ‘no one is untouchable’. The initiative follows successful disarmament efforts in neighbouring Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and West Pokot counties, where over 1,000 firearms have been recovered, bringing unprecedented calm to the historically troubled North Rift region.
Forceful Tactics Deployed in Kalemengorok Operation
The Special Operations Group’s arrival in Kalemengorok, Aroo, on an unspecified Sunday before 12 March 2026 marked an escalation in security tactics not seen in previous operations [1]. Local residents described being physically forced to attend hastily organised public barazas, with those who delayed facing beatings [1]. James Kisike, a local resident, recounted the aggressive nature of the operation: ‘It became clear this was not an ordinary security operation. Anyone who delayed attending the baraza was beaten and forced to go. Even those just going about their business were forced to attend, and people were told they had three days to surrender their firearms’ [1]. The public meetings featured the reading aloud of names of suspected illegal gun owners, including politicians and government officials, creating an atmosphere of public accountability rarely seen in such operations [1].
Administrative Pressure and Compliance Measures
Local administrators have been tasked with locating suspects identified during the public meetings, whilst chiefs, assistant chiefs, and police reservists face pressure to provide comprehensive lists of suspected gun owners [1]. Reports suggest that non-compliance with these directives is reportedly punishable by assault, indicating the operation’s uncompromising approach [1]. The three-day surrender window announced on or before 12 March 2026 has created urgency within affected communities [1]. Turkana County Police Commander John Tarus confirmed the ongoing nature of the SOG operation but declined to provide further details, stating: ‘The operation is ongoing, but I am not in a position to comment on the matter’ [1].
Regional Security Context and Previous Successes
This Turkana operation represents the latest phase of Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, a comprehensive security initiative launched in February 2023 involving both the Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service [1]. The operation follows demonstrable success in neighbouring counties, where over 1,000 firearms have been recovered during disarmament exercises [2]. The North Rift region has experienced relative calm for the past six months prior to 11 March 2026, attributed to the seriousness and forceful nature of the disarmament operations [2]. Operation camps established at Meisori and Moinoni in Baringo County have served as operational bases for the multi-agency approach involving police and military personnel [2].
Impact on Refugee and Host Communities
The security operation carries particular significance for refugee populations in Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps, as improved stability along the Turkana-West Pokot border directly affects their safety and freedom of movement [GPT]. Recent bandit activity, including a February 2026 raid on Kakong village that resulted in six deaths and the theft of over 1,000 livestock, demonstrates the ongoing security threats facing both host and refugee communities in the region [1]. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s warning that the operation would be ‘painful for profiled bandits and their sponsors’ who ‘buy ammunition and incite communities’ suggests a targeting of the financial networks that sustain regional instability [1]. Lokichar Ward MCA Samuel Lomodo has supported the government’s efforts whilst calling for simultaneous disarmament operations in both Turkana and West Pokot to ensure fairness and comprehensive security [1]. Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan has emphasised the government’s commitment to maintaining a long-term presence to ensure lasting peace, stating: ‘So far, we have made tremendous progress, and there is unprecedented peace. We urged those who left their homes in Saimo Soi and Baringo South to return’ [2].