PHOTOS: The rise of homemade guns, who is making them?

 A homemade gun at a past crime scene [Photo: Courtesy]

The rate at which gangs across the country are sprouting up is alarming.

Joblessness, uneven distribution of wealth, drug abuse, political machinations and the allure of quick wealth are among the many issues that are drawing the youth to crime like a lamp is to a moth.

A quick glance at any crime scene in the city is however drawing a new picture. The rising number of homemade guns being wielded by criminals is worrying.

Gangsters are devising new ways to terrorize city dwellers using gun imitations. Some are not toys. They do work and are capable of discharging bullets. They may look rudimentary, but the gangsters are reportedly in cahoots with welders who have knowledge on how guns work.

Confronting one wielding it is ill-advised according to experts, unless one is sure that it is a dummy.

It goes without saying that guns in Kenya do not come cheap. ‘Renting’ one from rogue cops does not come cheap either hence the charm of the homemade to gangs.

So how do they look like and how have they evolved over the years? Take a look.

 A homemade gun at a past crime scene [Photo: Courtesy]

 These homemade guns were recovered from a Kitale syndicate [Photo: Courtesy]

 A homemade gun at a past crime scene [Photo: Courtesy]

 Nakuru Town head of operation Joseph Mulatya displays two homemade guns

 A homemade gun at a past crime scene [Photo: Courtesy]

 A homemade gun being displayed by a cop at a past crime scene [Photo: Courtesy]