Barely a week after the Cabinet Secretary for Interior Dr. Fred Matiang’i disbanded the Firearms Licensing and Control Board, the CS has now named new members of the Board.
In a notice issued yesterday, Dr. Matiang’i appointed the seven members who he said will serve the Board for the next three years with effect from December 3, 2018.
The new changes in the Board will see Charles Mwongera serve as the new Chairman of the Firearms Licensing and Control Board. Other members appointed to the Board are David Kahinga, Jackson Kimutai, Vincent Wahoro, Nancy Kabete, Justin Odhiambo and Lazarus Mbondo.
CS Matiang’i had last week on Friday disbanded the Firearm Licensing and Control Board with the aim of reconstituting a new one as part of a process of vetting afresh all issued Firearms to enhance required standards of security and safety across the country.
Speaking at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, the CS said that corruption and incompetence in the Board has led to guns being in illegal hands. He further suspended all firearms dealers’ licences until they are vetted afresh adding that a digital register for firearm holders will be rolled out soon.
“Anyone who does not get the new certificate will be regarded as having an illegal firearm,” said the CS.
Matiang’i also called for a comprehensive audit on the Kenya Police Reserve and the MPR to know who owns guns. He said that the ministry would come up with a new curriculum and framework to train KPRs on how to handle guns.
“In the next one year, we will have a record of anyone who is a KPR so that we do not have militias in the name of KPRs and MPRs because firearms could be misused,” said Matiang’i.
“When we give guns to people who support our efforts, especially in stock theft prone areas, we will need to train them so they do not go overboard,” he added.
Do you think the new members appointed to the Board will help fight the corruption in the Board?