Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has extended the declaration of several parts of Marsabit County as security-disturbed and dangerous areas for another 30 days, allowing enhanced security operations to continue as the government seeks to restore stability in the region.
The extension was announced through a Gazette Notice dated July 23 and took effect at 6.30 p.m. the same day. It will remain in force for 30 days unless it is withdrawn earlier or extended through another Gazette notice.
Murkomen made the declaration under Section 106 (6) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, following consultations with the National Security Council.
The affected areas include Hillo Gorgora, Hillo Orofa, Hillo Walkite, Hillo Tanzania, Hillo Irress Abamartille, Hillo Gootu, Hillo Tessum Qalicha, Hillo Karray, Hillo Hudda, Hillo Qoranjido, Hillo Irress Shindia, Hillo Rabaalee and Hillo Godde Haroressa.
"This notice shall take effect on the 23rd July, 2026, as from 6.30 p.m., for a period of thirty (30) days and may, at any time, be withdrawn or continued in force for such further period as the Cabinet Secretary may, in each case, by notice in the Gazette direct," the notice states.
The extension means security agencies will continue carrying out enhanced operations across the listed areas as authorities respond to ongoing security concerns.
In a separate Gazette Notice issued alongside the declaration, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered all residents in the affected areas to surrender any firearms in their possession to the nearest police station, police post, police camp or National Government Administration office during daytime hours.
The directive, issued under Section 106 (2)(a) of the National Police Service Act, requires the firearms to be kept in safe custody for the duration of the security declaration.
"On the taking effect of this notice, 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 the hours of the day for safe custody," Kanja directed.
The Inspector-General said all firearms surrendered under the order will be returned to their lawful owners once the declaration is revoked or expires.
Under the National Police Service Act, declaring an area security-disturbed and dangerous gives the government authority to introduce additional security measures aimed at restoring public order. These include restricting the possession of firearms where necessary and intensifying security operations.
The latest extension signals the government's decision to maintain heightened security measures in the affected parts of Marsabit County as authorities continue monitoring the situation and implementing efforts to improve safety in the region.