You Will Be Arrested If Found Carrying Knives,Assortment Of Weapons In Laikipia,Says Police

LAIKIPIA,Kenya, Nov, 5 – Residents in towns and shopping centres across Laikipia county now risk being arrested and prosecuted in court if they are found in possession of knives and other weapons while in public.

According to area police commander John Nyoike the ban has now been fully instituted amidst rising cases of violence and attacks meted on several people in trading centres across Rumuruti, Ol-Moran and Dol Dol area.

Knife possession and related crimes have increased in the county according to police.

Nyoike issued the ban during a security sensitization meeting held at Maundu Meri village in Laikipia North.

The meeting also brought together multi agency security team leaders, area MP Sarah Lekorere and local community leaders.

“This was one of a series of meetings being spearheaded by the National government to encourage local residents embrace one another and look for better ways of keeping and maintaining peaceful coexistence. It is unlawful to carry such weapons in public and in the shopping and trading centres,” said Nyoike.

Residents meanwhile pleaded with police to grant them more time in order to sensitive other members of the community on the consequences of possessing the weapons while in public.

In predominantly pastoralist communities, it is not uncommon for residents to be seen carrying knives or other sharp objects in public. For the sake of public safety however, “this must be the new normal,“said area leaders.

The move comes amidst increased bandit attacks in the county that has left scores dead including police officers deployed to the area.

Though normalcy has been reported in various areas affected by bandit attacks with learning even resuming, recent killings threaten efforts made by a multi agency security team to restore normalcy in the volatile area.

Leaders meanwhile urged police to increase the number of National Police Reservists (NPR) in the affected areas in order to restore peace and security.

They also called on the state to kick off a renewed disarmament exercise after several police officers were killed by bandits last week in the Laikipia Nature Conservancy area.