The Government of Kenya is seriously considering drastically reducing the circulation of arms in the country. A few days ago the Minister of the Interior and National Security Fred Matiang'i suspended the licenses of 18 gun dealers and similar in Kenya.
There were a total of 33 authorized dealers, but the spread of under-the-counter sales and trade in illegal weapons has led to this decision.
It is not only the talk of the ever-present danger of terrorism, but also the spread among the new generations of the gun as a "status symbol" to exhibit.
A firearm in Kenya is considered a luxury good that can cost between 100 thousand and 350 thousand Kenya shillings if purchased legally.
Matiang'i's decision was concomitant, for example, with a news item involving a controversial young opposition member of parliament who, in the most exclusive club in the Capital, the B-Club, allegedly exploded a gunshot, seriously injuring the deejay.
Babu Owino, this is the name (or rather, the nickname) of the politician, declared that he felt threatened and would have drawn his weapon in self-defense. In any case, the front-page news and the opening of the national news, raised the issue.
In Kenya, in order to walk around freely with a gun, it is mandatory to have these basic requirements:
- To be 21 years old and over
- Having been trained to handle firearms
- Have a clean record
- To be mentally stable and sane.
Despite the requirements, the carrying of weapons for ordinary citizens is still limited and the penalties for offenders are very heavy. According to the law, for example, civilians may not use weapons in the possession of law enforcement agencies and special forces, such as Ak47, MP5 and G3. Any citizen found with such types of weapons could also be sentenced to life imprisonment.
To apply for a weapon in Kenya you must first submit a request to the licensing office, the Firearms Office in Nairobi.
Then you have to fill in the application forms addressed to the firearms licensing officer. You must obtain a certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) by submitting the application form at the Police Station nearest to your residence, with payment of Kes. 2000.
Then there will be a check by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and everything will go back to Firearms Licensing Boards, who will decide whether to reject or approve the application.
If the FLB gives its approval, the name will be sent to the Inspector General of the Police who will or will not put the final signature. If positive, it will issue the applicant with a renewable license each year.
The licence may be revoked if you are found to be in possession of your weapon while intoxicated, or when handling it improperly, if the serial number is concealed, if the licence is not renewed and in all cases of conduct unfit for public safety.