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Neighbours Join Kenya in War on Illegal Firearms
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Nairobi — Kenya is working with neighbouring states in the ongoing programme to reduce the flow of illegal firearms across borders.

Eastern provincial police boss Marcus Ocholla said similar disarmament programmes in neighbouring countries will complement the operation in Kenya, where 532 guns and 1,327 rounds of ammunition have been seized mainly from pastoral communities in Upper Eastern.

The disarmament has been going on for the past one month following the expiry of an amnesty for those holding illegal weapons to surrender them.

Border patrols have been stepped up to control smuggling of guns as well as counterfeit goods within the region. "Our borders are vast and porous so it is not possible to deploy policemen there on a full-time basis but we have in place regular patrols to ensure those who contravene border rules are arrested," he said.

The government has shown commitment to restoring normalcy in northern Kenya, where armed pastoralists have turned the areas with vast tourism and economic potential into battle zones.

Measures are being put in place to ensure that communities abandon the culture of gun violence and embrace trade, which is expected to attract visitors and investment to the area.

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