Fred Matiang'i orders firearm holders who ignored vetting process to surrender to police

CS Matiang'i orders these people to surrender to the police within 7 days

Mumbi Mutuko

June 28, 2019 12:47 PM

Surrender within 7 days

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has ordered 4,407 firearm holders who ignored the vetting process to surrender to the police within the next seven days or face criminal charges.

Speaking on Friday, when he received the final report of the Firearms Licensing Board (FLB) on the Vetting of Firearms Dealers, Shooting Ranges and Civilian Firearm Holders, the CS asked the board to halt the issuance of gun dealership licenses.

"I have consequently asked the Firearm Licensing and Control Board to halt the issuance of gun dealership licenses in the country with immediate effect," CS Matiang'i said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i Pulse Live Kenya

The report presented indicated that of the 13,805 Registered Civilian Firearm Holders, a total of 9,398 were vetted.

About 4,407 Civilian Firearm holders did not present themselves for vetting and they were instructed to surrender themselves to the nearest police station within 7 days.

Showing off weapons in nightclubs

Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, who had accompanied the CS also asked private gun holders to stop showing off their weapons in nightclubs, bars and other social joints.

Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai Pulse Live Kenya

The IG of police warned that licensed civilians who will be caught showing off their firearms with have them taken away by government.

In 2018, Matiangi dissolved the Firearms Licensing Board in efforts geared at reforming the agency that had been faulted for failing to crack the whip on fake permit holders.

He also announced plans to establish a digital registry of licensed firearm holders who shall be required to apply for new certificates.

Mumbi Mutuko