Kenya records progress in fight against illegal arms, but gaps persist

Kenya has made significant progress in curbing the proliferation of illicit small arms, but challenges such as porous borders, evolving threats and regional instability continue to undermine gains, Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has said.

Dr Omollo spoke during the launch of a regional assessment report on the implementation of the Nairobi Protocol by the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), which reviewed progress made by 15 member states over the past two decades.

The report, covering the period between 2005 and 2025, highlights strengthened national and regional systems, including improved legislation, better stockpile management and enhanced marking and record-keeping of firearms.

“As a country, we have made a lot of progress in living up to the Nairobi Declaration and the protocol, particularly in maintaining proper records of firearms,” said Dr Omollo.

He noted that Kenya has intensified efforts to mop up illegal weapons, including the destruction of more than 6,000 firearms last year, as part of ongoing disarmament operations. Security agencies have also enhanced training, particularly in weapon identification and tracing.

However, the PS acknowledged that illicit arms remain a major security concern, especially in banditry-prone areas. He cited porous borders and instability in neighbouring countries such as Somalia and South Sudan as key drivers of illegal arms flows into the country.

The RECSA report links the continued presence of illicit firearms to insecurity across the region, including banditry, intercommunal conflict and armed crime, particularly in rural and border areas where state presence is limited.

Dr Omollo said Kenya is working closely with regional partners to enhance cross-border collaboration and intelligence sharing, noting that the transnational nature of arms trafficking requires coordinated responses.

“Translating these commitments into impact requires strong systems on the ground, from effective border management and enforcement to reliable data, tracing and accountability mechanisms,” he said.

The report also flags emerging threats, including the use of new technologies such as drones and improvised explosive devices, which are increasingly being adopted by criminal networks.

While some regions, particularly the North Rift, have recorded improved security compared to previous years, isolated cases of banditry persist in areas such as Isiolo and Meru.

The regional assessment further calls for renewed focus on strengthening cross-border cooperation, improving information-sharing systems and investing in sustainable national capacities to address evolving security threats.

As RECSA marks over 20 years of coordinated regional action, the findings are expected to guide the next phase of implementation of the Nairobi Protocol, with a focus on translating policy gains into tangible security outcomes.