State Issues Amnesty for Firearms The Government has given West Pokot residents two weeks to surrender all illegally acquired guns or face forceful disarmament.
West Pokot District Commissioner Stephen Ikua said those who would not honour the ultimatum would be dealt with severely.
Only two AK 47 rifles were handed over to the police at Sigor yesterday, the first day of the exercise.
Ikua said the Government had set up collection centres in all locations to enable residents take the guns to their nearest points.
The DC, however, said the Government would use all means to rid the district and the larger North Rift region of illegal guns. The exercise is also being carried out in Trans-Nzoia, Baringo, Turkana, Samburu and Marakwet.
And residents of Baringo got a one-week ultimatum to surrender illegal firearms ahead of a military operation.
District Commissioner John Abduba appealed to the residents to take advantage of the amnesty and surrender the firearms.
Speaking at Marigat Secondary School during a peace meeting, Abduba said the State had deployed military personnel to the area.
The meeting was attended by elected leaders from the three constituencies of Baringo, chiefs and their assistants, church leaders and officials from the World Vision.
Meanwhile, Pokot leaders have appealed to the Government not to use excessive force in the disarmament.
"It is illegal to use helicopter gunship and bombs meant for external aggressors on its citizens," the leaders warned yesterday.
They said the former regime carried out 19 security operations in the region without addressing the real problems affecting the community and to date nothing has been achieved.
They said the President should have visited the district to hear the problems the residents had before ordering for the operation.
"The President visited North Rift when there were clashes and asked the warring clans to sort out their problems with respective council of elders. He did not order for the security operation," the leaders told a leaders meeting at Mtelo Hall in Kapenguria.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200505180353.html*FW Note:I find two statements from this article striking and prophetic in light of recorded actions of tyranical governments throughout history:
"...surrender all illegally acquired guns or face forceful disarmament..."and
"It is illegal to use helicopter gunship and bombs meant for external aggressors on its citizens..."This government is engaging in a systematic disarmament of it's citizens and telling them straight out that it will kill them if they resist. Concerned citizens respond that is is illegal to use the implements of war against civilians. Yeah...Like any government is bound by it's own laws... :-D
Think it couldn't happen here? I've got a one word response for you. Starts with a
W and ends with
ACO.
:evil:
