This archive report was first published on 3 July 2019.
On July 3, 2019, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i issued a one-week ultimatum for 4,000 registered gun holders to surrender their arms, marking a major step in the clean-up of illicit guns in Kenya.
The issue of gun ownership is a complex one, with many individuals holding licenses to carry guns, but a large number of people possessing guns without approvals. This creates a serious problem, as it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate and illegal gun holders.
There are several reasons for the proliferation of unlicensed guns, including corrupt officials who issue licenses at astronomical fees, licensed gun owners who rent out their guns to criminals, porous borders that allow the influx of illicit firearms, and criminals who steal or make their own firearms.
It is essential to seal all avenues through which guns end up in the wrong hands, as danger abounds when guns are in the wrong hands. Several incidents have been reported of licensed gun holders who misuse their firearms, and the easy accessibility of guns in certain parts of the country has led to the creation of militias and terror gangs.
Going forward, the Firearms Licensing Board must apply the law to the letter in approving gun ownership, including enforcing the provision that holders must be sufficiently suitable to hold the arms. The Firearms Act provides tight conditions for issuance, control, and cancellation of gun certificates, but weak enforcement has been a significant challenge due to corruption.
