The government has confiscated 340 firearms in the ongoing vetting of civilian firearm holders, CS Matiang’i has said.
Speaking on Tuesday after inspecting operations of the Firearms Licensing Board at the DCI Academy in South C, Nairobi, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior said the board also seized 5,371 assorted ammunition.
The State has also revoked 36 licenses improperly issued to civilian firearms holders under the past gun licensing regimes.
Matiang’i noted that he is satisfied with the ongoing vetting exercise in Nairobi.
He said since the exercise begun on December 15, 2018, 3,600 gun owners had been vetted, with “conspicuous improprieties” being unearthed in the acquisition and certification of firearms.
The CS warned that the March 7th deadline for vetting civilian gun owners will not be extended, adding that those who will not have secured new licenses will be treated as criminals.
“We will not extend the deadline – not even by one hour,” Dr. Matiang’i said.
The vetting will, however, continue in other regions until March 18, 2019.
“Firearms owners must appear in person before the Board and avail their weapons and certificates for review without fail. After the deadline, we will act lawfully, but firmly.”
The exercise involves a psychiatric assessment by a Government psychologist, criminal record checks, and ballistic testing of the weapons and ammunition by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Matiang’i, who was accompanied by Principal Secretary Dr. Karanja Kibicho, maintained that the confiscated weapons, including semiautomatic guns and large-capacity magazines designed for the military, are prohibited for civilians.
He announced that the Inspector General of Police will lead a countrywide operation thereafter with a view to mopping up such weapons in the best interest of the country.
