The government has designated 12 areas in Tana River as “disturbed and dangerous” due to ongoing insecurity.
In a gazette notice issued on October 11, 2024, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki announced that this declaration, effective immediately for a period of 30 days, follows consultations with the National Security Council.
The notice states, “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 106 (1) of the National Police Service Act,
2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, in consultation with the National Security Council, declares the following parts of Tana River County as security disturbed and dangerous.”
The affected regions are located in Bangale Sub-County and Tana North Sub-County.
Specifically, the Bangale areas include Madogo, Areri, Saka, Sala, Mororo, and Mbalambala, while Tana North includes Hirimani, Hosingo, Dukanotu, Chewele, Nanighi, and Bura.
In light of this directive, Inspector-General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja has ordered residents in these areas to surrender all firearms to police stations for safekeeping.
He assured that the surrendered weapons would be returned to their owners after the 30-day period concludes.
Kanja’s notice states, “All inhabitants of the said areas are ordered, with immediate effect, to surrender all arms in their possession to the nearest Police Station, Police Post, Police Camp, and National Government Administration Offices during daylight hours for safe custody.”
This declaration follows a surge in violence that left six people dead on Thursday, bringing the total death toll in the region to 14 as conflicts between local communities escalate.
The violence, which began nearly a week ago in the Anole area, has since spread to neighboring villages, including Nanighi.
As a result of the clashes, hundreds of residents have fled their homes in search of safety. Many are reported to be injured, with some critically wounded and receiving treatment in various hospitals.
Atwoli Declares He Has No Interest In Deputy President Position
