K’jong Disarmament Yields 10,000 Guns, Says Kategaya

THE First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Eriya Kategaya, has said the on-going disarmament exercise is a success and that over 10,000 guns have been collected, reports James Odong.“The exercise is going on well and up to 10,000 guns have so far been collected,” Kategaya told The New Vision on Thursday.He said in this financial year, 3,000 anti-stock theft personnel would be recruited, trained and deployed in strategic locations to ensure peace in the region.“There are 146 local defence unit (LDU) personnel who are being recruited at each sub-county and in areas bordering Kenya. The number will increase because the problem of cross-border raids is bigger there,” he said.He underscored the importance of disarmament, saying the return of law and order in the region would attract investors and enhance development.“I understand even now the price of food is already coming down because suppliers have started taking their food stuff which is good,” Kategaya said.He expressed optimism that the Police would be able to take over the exercise from the army.He said the disarmament exercise had cost the Government a lot of money. “Billions of shillings,” he said. Ends