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Gun owners lobby welcomes Firearms Licensing Board

The association's Secretary General Anthony Wahome says though there are only a few cases of people misusing their firearms, the board will ensure weapons are only used as per the set regulations/FILE

The association’s Secretary General Anthony Wahome says though there are only a few cases of people misusing their firearms, the board will ensure weapons are only used as per the set regulations/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 17 – The National Gun Owners Association of Kenya has welcomed Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery’s decision to form the Firearms Licensing Board, which they say will amicably address any disciplinary cases.

The association’s Secretary General Anthony Wahome says though there are only a few cases of people misusing their firearms, the board will ensure weapons are only used as per the set regulations.

“In December 2014, the Security Amendment Bill which became an Act, also included amendments to certain parts of the Firearms Act,” he pointed out during an interview with Capital FM News.

“The board will now put the necessary mechanism to make sure that if there are laws that need to be looked into, they do that.”

The board work will be to certify suitability of applicants and periodically assess proficiency of firearms holders and issue, cancel, terminate or vary any license or permit issued under the Act.

The Firearms Act has been questioned with some security players calling for amendments in some of the clauses, which they say are outdated.

The Firearms Act Section 5(7)(a) provides that the certificate can be revoked “if the licensing officer is satisfied that the holder is prohibited by or under this Act from possessing a firearm to which the firearm certificate relates, or is of intemperate habits or unsound mind, or is otherwise unfit to be entrusted with a firearm.”

If the holder fails to surrender the firearm within 14 days according to the law from the date of the notice he/she shall be guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding Sh1,000.

“As an association, we have self regulatory mechanisms and that is over and above the provision of the Firearms Act as far as safe use of firearms is concerned,” he said.

The said regulations are in tandem with the Constitution.

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“This is to make sure a membership that is responsible in the use and handling weapons. It involves training on what the law says is the justifiable use of the weapon,” he said.

According to Wahome, there are about 9,000 firearm holders in the country whom he says compliment largely to the work of the police service in ensuring security prevails.

“We train our members on the use of the weapon so that it does not become a danger to them and those around.”

Nkaissery appointed the Firearms Licensing Board after a court directed that Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho’s gun drama can only be handled by such a body.

The chairman of the board is Enoch Sasia while members include Lillian Kiamba, Stanley Omucheyi, Barnice Gachegu, Anthony Wahome, William Sing’oei, George Waiguru, James Ngului and Samuel Kimaru as the secretary.

The move came a day after a court stopped the CS and police from confiscating Joho’s guns or arresting him.

READ: Nkaissery appoints firearms board after Joho fiasco

Joho had stated that he will not surrender his licensed firearms as directed by the Firearms Chief Licensing Officer Samuel Kimaru.

Joho stated that he legally acquired the guns and the government cannot repossess them without a valid reason, while insisting the move is politically motivated.

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He had stated that has not misused the firearm for the 20 years he has held it, since issuance by the government.

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