This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On July 5, 2019, Police Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for over 4,000 gun holders who failed to surrender their firearms.
According to Mutyambai, the 7-day respite granted to gun owners to surrender their guns to the government had lapsed on July 4, 2019.
Out of 9,398 registered gun owners who were vetted, 6,958 were cleared, while 1,493 firearms and 21,732 assorted ammunition were confiscated.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i had issued a directive on February 4, 2019, requiring the Civilian Firearms Licensing Board to vigorously vet firearm dealers, civilian firearm holders, and shooting range owners.
The operation is part of the Interior Ministry's move to deal with a surge in gun-related crime in the country.
