No guns for Kenya's night guards, MPs say

The National Assembly yesterday rejected a proposal for the country to issue guards with guns.

Asman Kamama (Tiaty), chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Administration and National Security, said it would be dangerous for MPs to allow guards to carry guns.

"Even the police with all their training and presumed discipline hire out their guns to criminals," he said.

House Majority Leader Aden Duale (Garissa Township), Christopher Omulele (Luanda), Raphael Letimalo (Samburu East) and the Deputy Minority Whip Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) all said there was no way the Government would allow guards to carry guns.

But Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Benson Mutura (Makadara) and Irungu Kang'ata (Kiharu) insisted that guns were important for guards as they would help reduce crime.

"One of the reasons why thugs are running rampage in our country is because they know that our guards with their 'rungus' (clubs) are not effective," said Mr Gumbo.

Mr Mutura said the guns would help deal with terrorism and crime in general.