Interior CS Fred Matiang'i order to civilian gun holders over new license

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i on Monday announced new measures that will ensure civilians participate in matters of national security.

Dr Matiang'i instructed all civilian gun holders to ensure that they apply and receive a new license before mid-March.

He explained that the new licenses will have a biometric micro-chip installed to keep a digital register of the licensed guns in the country.

"The police officers know the pain we are going through to collect evidence of crime due to unlicensed firearms.

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i gives an address at the Flamingo Pride Inn in Mombasa County (Twitter) Interior CS Fred Matiang'i gives an address at the Flamingo Pride Inn in Mombasa County (Twitter) Pulse Live Kenya

"Every civilian holding a gun must have the new license a card by 18th of March," the CS announced.

Nyumba Kumi and other Initiatives

Dr Matiang'i also urged citizen participation in security issues through interventions such as the Nyumba Kumi, Peace Elders, Community Policing and Village Elders among others.

He assured that the Government will intensify efforts to engage all neighbourhoods and communities across the country in policing and security initiatives.

"I urge you to work hard on the 'know your neighbour campaigns' to encourage members of the general public to share information on security related matters with the authorities in real time.

"We must encourage individual and collective responsibility for security amongst our people," he stated.

Interior CS Fred Matiang'i with ICT CS Joe Mucheru at the Flamingo Pride Inn in Mombasa County (Twitter) Interior CS Fred Matiang'i with ICT CS Joe Mucheru at the Flamingo Pride Inn in Mombasa County (Twitter) Pulse Live Kenya

The CS was speaking during the inaugural joint meeting of all security commanders in both the National Government Administration and the National Police Service.

Dr Matiang'i appreciated the officers for a well-coordinated operation at the Dusit Complex where Al Shabaab terrorists took 21 lives.