Uhuru Burns over 8,000 Illegal Firearms

President Kenyatta on Tuesday presided over the destruction of 8,700 illegal firearms and 366,000 pieces of ammunition. 

The arms were destroyed by burning at the General Service Unit (GSU) Magadi Field Training Campus in Kajiado County.

Speaking at the function, Kenyatta said the move was part of the government’s efforts to ensure Kenyans and their property is safeguarded.

“It is worth noting that, seizing of ammunition illegally held, is one of the measures that we, as a country, are undertaking to ensure and sustain security in the country,” said Kenyatta.

Uhuru said the exercise was in line with the regulatory frameworks and various regional and international legal instruments on the management of small and light weapons, to which Kenya is a signatory.

There are several United Nations (UN) commitments to eradicate the trade in small arms and light weapons that Kenya adheres to.

They include the UN Firearms Protocol of 2001, the Arms Trade Treaty of 2013 and the Sustainable Development Goals of 2015, among others.

Kenyatta hailed the recent streamlining of gun licensing system in the country and advised Kenyans who wish to own firearms to follow the laid out procedures.

“Through the Firearms Licensing Board (FLB), we are now progressively overhauling the system, making it more effective and efficient.”

"Our ultimate vision is to have background checks processed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and monitor the activities of prohibited persons as far as gun ownership is concerned,” said Kenyatta.

He said the establishment of a digital register of all civilian firearms holders is helping the government as far as dealing with crimes is concerned even as he warned those still holding unlicensed guns.

“It is now easier to retrieve their details, thus facilitating investigations into violent crimes involving guns across the country.” 

“I encourage members of the public to also recognize that now times have changed. We will no longer be engaged in the political discourse of cultural acceptability in activities of banditry.

“The only thing we will work together is to see how we will bring it to an end by working together with community leaders, politicians, young men, and women, to surrender illegal weapons,”  said Uhuru.