This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
On November 19, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta led the destruction of 8,700 illegal firearms and 366,000 bullets at the General Service Unit Magadi Field Training Campus in Kajiado County.
The President emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring the security and safety of its citizens and their property by taking proactive measures, including the destruction of illegal firearms.
"It is worth noting that seizing ammunition illegally held is one of the measures we are undertaking to ensure and sustain security in the country," said President Kenyatta.
The destruction of firearms was conducted in line with regulatory frameworks and international legal instruments, including the UN Firearms Protocol of 2001, the Arms Trade Treaty of 2013, and the Sustainable Development Goals of 2015.
Kenya has a history of publicly burning illegal firearms, dating back to 2003, as part of its commitment to eradicating the trade in small arms and light weapons.
President Kenyatta also announced that the government has streamlined the gun licensing system and advised citizens to follow the laid-out procedures for owning firearms.
He further stated that the government has established a digital register of all civilian firearms holders and issued them with smart licenses, making it easier to retrieve their details and facilitate investigations into violent crimes involving guns.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i also spoke at the event, highlighting the success of security agencies in carrying out an aggressive operation to mop up illegal arms across the country.
