Kimaru had declared that the Mombasa Governor “is no longer fit to be entrusted with a licensed gun/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12 – The National Police Service on Saturday confirmed that Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho had surrendered one of his firearms and expected him to hand in two others by Sunday.
In a post on Twitter, the Police Service said the Mombasa Governor was cooperating with the police “despite the bravado he has been displaying after Firearms Chief Licensing Officer Samuel Kimaru revoked his Firearm Certificate on Thursday.”
“The National Police Service takes grave exception to the public theatrics displayed by Governor Joho following the notification of withdrawal of the two pistols and a shotgun in his possession. The public should know that contrary to the false display of bravado, he is cooperating with the police and as of now one firearm has already been surrendered,” the tweet read.
“We expect to have the remainder surrendered tomorrow.”
Kimaru had declared that the Mombasa Governor “is no longer fit to be entrusted with a licensed gun.”
Kimaru ordered Joho to surrender a rifle and two pistols to him or to the Mombasa County Police Commander.
The Mombasa Governor on Friday vowed to disobey the directive saying he legally acquired the guns and the government cannot repossess them without a valid reason, while insisting the move is politically motivated.
As a Governor, he said, it was unreasonable to withdraw his security detail, and the attempts to repossess his firearm.
“Given the unique circumstances of my service to the people of Mombasa and Kenya at large, I would like to state that I consider it unreasonable to withdraw the security detail without a clear explanation of the same,” he said.
READ: Joho security not withdrawn, only scaled down – Police
Governor Joho says he has not misused the firearms for the 20 years he has held them, since issuance by the government.
“As a citizen of this great nation of Kenya, we have the right to administrative action that is expeditious, efficient, lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair according to Article 47 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of this country,” he said.
“I consider the demand to withdraw my firearm unprocedural and done in extreme bad faith.”
READ: Joho says won’t surrender gun as directed on phone
“The Firearms Act is clear on how civilians licensed to own firearms should conduct themselves,” the NPSC tweeted in response to Governor Joho’s assertion.
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