Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a bold and unconventional peace initiative: individuals involved in banditry will be offered government scholarships and technical training if they willingly surrender their illegal firearms.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner’s Office in Iten, ahead of the ongoing Jukwaa La Usalama national security tour, Murkomen extended an olive branch to criminal elements in the region, especially targeting youth who have resorted to violent crime due to lack of education and opportunity.
“If you own a firearm, we are giving you an opportunity in the shortest time possible to present it to police officers,” Murkomen said. “Those who choose peace will be given a chance to rebuild their lives.”
Guns for Scholarships: A Government Peace Deal
The CS stated that the government is keen on providing alternative pathways to suspects involved in banditry. Those who surrender will be enrolled in technical and vocational training institutions, where they will learn practical skills to earn a living and contribute to society.
“Some of these people are of school-going age. Instead of engaging in crime, we will give them scholarships to get skills that they can use to care for themselves and their families,” he noted.
Murkomen explained that the plan is designed to tackle the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, illiteracy, and lack of opportunities, by turning criminals into productive citizens.
He stressed that the initiative will be rolled out in collaboration with relevant ministries and training agencies, ensuring that beneficiaries not only receive education but also mentorship and psychosocial support.
Crackdown Looms for Those Who Refuse
While the government’s offer is rooted in rehabilitation, Murkomen was clear that there would be zero tolerance for those who reject the peace initiative. He warned that security agencies are prepared to launch a sustained crackdown on armed criminals who continue to terrorize communities.
“Those who insist that they must continue to be in banditry will have no one to blame. Our security agencies are going to deal with them firmly,” he said.
“They should take this olive branch and choose peace by surrendering guns and taking pens instead.”
The CS emphasized that this is a final warning to those still operating outside the law, saying time is running out for them to make the right choice.
Criminal Networks Under Investigation
In a startling revelation, Murkomen disclosed that the government possesses intelligence linking several local figures to illegal arms trade in the region. He said teachers, contractors, and even politicians are among those suspected of buying and distributing weapons to bandits.
“We are aware of elements who are buying and supplying firearms; some of them are teachers, contractors, and politicians. The law will catch up with them,” he warned.
“I want to give them an olive branch, too. Surrender to the police before it’s too late.”
The Interior CS promised swift legal action against anyone found to be enabling insecurity, saying that such networks will be dismantled in the coming weeks.
Murkomen’s Visit to Elgeyo Marakwet: More Than Just Security
Murkomen’s tour of Elgeyo Marakwet County also included a development agenda, where he inspected the progress of the Kamariny Stadium project, which had been stalled for years due to contractor delays.
Accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, Deputy Inspector General of Police – APS Gilbert Masengeli, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan, local MPs, and other leaders, Murkomen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure.
“We are confident that this new team of contractors will deliver a world-class stadium on time,” said Murkomen.
The revamped 10,000-seater Kamariny Stadium is set to host ball games and athletics and will play a key role in promoting sports among youth in the North Rift region. Phase two of the project will include hostels for athletes in camp, supporting long-term talent development in track and field.
Why the Government Is Turning to Incentives
Murkomen’s announcement signals a shift in strategy from purely militarized operations to a hybrid approach—combining security enforcement with economic and educational incentives.
Experts say this move aligns with global best practices in peacebuilding, particularly in post-conflict or volatile regions where poverty and historical marginalization have fueled violence.
In Kenya’s North Rift and northern counties, banditry has cost countless lives, disrupted schooling, and hindered economic activity. Murkomen’s approach appears to offer both the carrot and the stick: a pathway out of violence through opportunity, or a crackdown for those who resist.
Community and Political Reactions
Initial reactions from the region’s leadership have been largely supportive, with several leaders praising the dual-pronged strategy.
Governor Wisley Rotich called the plan “timely and humane,” adding that efforts to restore peace must be accompanied by economic empowerment and rebuilding trust in state institutions.
Local elders and youth leaders have also expressed willingness to work with the government, provided the scholarships and vocational programs are rolled out transparently and without political interference.
Summary of Key Points:
- Bandits offered scholarships if they surrender illegal guns
- Government to enroll them in technical and vocational training
- Crackdown to target those who refuse to disarm
- Teachers, contractors, and politicians under investigation for aiding banditry
- Kamariny Stadium construction resumed, to be completed within a year
- Initiative aims to balance security, education, and long-term peacebuilding