And now the clergy and civil society leaders fear this may plunge the country into serious chaos, perhaps worse than that witnessed after the 2007 elections.

The reports are serious enough for former UN Secretary-General and Chief Mediator Kofi Annan to raise it with the top leadership.

Coming in the middle of efforts to find a lasting solution to the sometimes violent ethnic relations, the report is wont to create panic not only within the region, but also across the country. After losing more than 1,300 people to the violence that followed the bungled presidential election, it is clear such information can potentially spur violence, reopen wounds that are yet to heal and create tensions between various communities that are trying to live together again. In this sense then, it is easy to see what damage the media can do.

Despite the fact that the media play a critical role of educating and informing society among other functions, they can also create panic and precipitate anarchy. Consequently, there may be need to guard against causing panic and censure would be in order once thorough investigations have been conducted to determine the authenticity of reports of ongoing gun acquisition.

In addition, although the media occupy an important position in society and should ideally report responsibly, there ought to be serious introspection particularly due to claims some reports could have incited post-election violence.

This does not of course negate the fact that ‘truth’ is a key component of journalism, and that to render truthful accounts of events however unpalatable it may be, is the core function of journalistic organisations.

In essence, there is every reason people should rely on media reports, perhaps as a shield against conniving politicians who may again want to steer this country into the kind of political precipice witnessed early last year. Accordingly, there is nothing wrong in reporting that there is an arms race in the Rift Valley if such information is accurate.

It is often said where there is fire there is smoke. In other words, even though claims of an arms race may be dismissed as rumours, as Rift Valley politician and Agriculture Minister William Ruto contends, the gory images of post-election violence calls for careful consideration of such information given BBC is a credible news organisation whose reports cannot be casually dismissed. In the words of Ruto, "whoever is creating these rumours is doing the country a disservice as the rumours will only create tension and anxiety. It is very dangerous for people to make such unsubstantiated rumours about citizens arming themselves."

It is understandable that some politicians are cross with such ‘careless’ reports because of their implications on the ethnic and even political relationships. And there is no doubt many are against any anarchy that may arise out of the political process, and that mere elections are a catalyst for such senseless butchery.

Although there are promises by authorities to deal with cases of arms proliferation and pledges to deal firmly with perpetrators of violence, according to Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, it is imperative that the Government takes such issues seriously. Despite the warning and promises to deal with violence, past failures and political intrigues show some people would rather kill the messenger.

In other words, there is a tendency to adopt a dismissive attitude to such issues even when it is desirable for the sake of peace to investigate and arrest the situation before it gets out of hand. What is more, there is hardly any reason to be defensive in the face of such serious claims.

On many occasions, Government mandarins take reactive approach to issues, and often are given to dismissing such serious issues without taking time to determine the authenticity or falsity of the claims. Accordingly, despite Government assurances, it is difficult to rely on some dodgy politicians who may sometimes benefit from violence and such arms race.