Government embarks on registration of illegal firearms

The Government has embarked on voluntary registration of illegally acquired firearms in North Rift Region.

Speaking when he launched the exercise in Turkwel, County Commissioner Seif Matata said the Government will no longer allow civilians to hold firearms.

Mr Matata said the programme would regulate and monitor the use of all registered firearms held by civilians.

"This exercise will ensure those with firearms do not engage in illegal activities. We will closely monitor and know who has misused his firearm, instead of subjecting the whole community to accusation," said the commissioner.

The exercise comes at the time the Government plans to recruit more Kenya Police Reservists to deal with cattle rustling and insecurity in the county.

The commissioner promised that during the recruitment exercise, those who have registered their firearms will be given first priority, and they will also earn some allowance.

He added that volunteers will also be considered during the National Youth Service recruitment programme to be rolled out in the county next week.

OUT-DATED CULTURE

During the weekend exercise, eight serviceable guns and nine rounds of ammunition were registered and handed back to the owners, who also received clearing certificates.

To register a firearm, one only needs to visit the nearest chief's offices with their national identity card.

"Those who register, or surrender firearms are not cowards. The Government will not tolerate those with illegal guns in this area. I kindly ask you to pass this message to anybody you know possesses such arms," he said.

He called on the locals to embrace peace and do away with outdated cultural practices like female genital mutilation and cattle rustling, which he said had retarded development in the region.