Tana river: Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana has made a passionate call to residents of Madogo and Bangale in Tana River North to surrender illicit guns to the government, emphasizing that economic development cannot occur amid rampant insecurity and intercommunity fighting. Governor Dhadho expressed his readiness to visit every village in the area to bolster the gun-mopping exercise initiated by the national government in January 2026.
According to Kenya News Agency, the governor is eager to resolve the longstanding and often deadly confrontations between livestock keepers and farming communities over dwindling water and pasture resources. Clashes between two warring communities in December last year resulted in deadly violence and the loss of 14 lives.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) reported that Tana River County is experiencing a protracted drought, now reaching an emergency situation. Most water pans, dams, and boreholes have dried up, forcing pastoralist communities to travel long distances in search of water and pasture.
Governor Dhadho addressed residents at Madogo shopping centre during a public baraza, accompanied by the county security team led by County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi. He urged the community to surrender illegal firearms, stating, “Give up the guns. They won’t bring any form of development. I speak this with experience. Embrace change and engage in business instead.”
The governor outlined a blueprint and economic program for Madogo town, encouraging residents to take advantage of the amnesty period offered by the national government for those who surrender illegal firearms. Plans include transforming the town into a double-business corridor, with a surface water master drainage plan, walkways, a large market, and a clean water system, aligning with the River Tana.
Governor Dhadho also revealed that investors are beginning to build 10,000 housing units in various towns in the county, along with a modern hospital as a long-term investment.
County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi stated that the government will enforce strict measures to control the circulation of illegal arms in the region. He assured residents of adequate security protection and encouraged them to surrender illegally held firearms. Mwangi urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperate with security agencies in the effort to mop up illegal firearms.
The administrator called for communities to stop harboring bandits and other criminals, emphasizing that public cooperation is essential to ending recurrent security incidents. He urged residents to report any criminal activities to enable authorities to take decisive action, noting that criminals often reside and operate within the communities.
Since January 2026, residents in Bangale Sub County have surrendered 11 illegally held guns to the multi-agency security team. The County Commissioner noted an improvement in the security situation, attributing the progress to sustained security operations and growing public support.
