Isiolo herders start registering unlicensed firearms

A group of herders in Isiolo County have surrendered their illegal guns to the government for registration.

Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya lauded the herders for their bold move.

Natembeya further appealed to them to reach out to others saying the government does not intend to take away the guns from them.

Natambeya also assured the herders that no one will be victimized for past crimes and that the weapons will be serviced and handed back to them.

The herders were responding to a directive by Interior Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to have all guns in civilian hands registered as a way of scaling down crime among pastoralist communities.

Early February, Chief Firearms Licensing Officer Samuel Kimaru called on civilians who would wish to own firearms to follow the right channels though they are long and register their firearms.

This is part of an exercise to ensure firearms in the hands of the public are not for criminal activity.

In January, Rift Valley Coordinator Osman Warfa explained that those who wanted to register their firearms needed to visit the nearest chief’s office with their national identity cards.

The Coordinator further added that the government would not allow communities to own guns without proper guidelines.

The government will also provide ammunition to the gun owners on condition that they will report to police any time they use the firearms.