Kenya launches September Amnesty Month for surrendering of illicit arms.
By Samuel Ouma
Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, unveiled the September Amnesty Month for the surrender of illicit arms.
The exercise will be coordinated by the National Police Service and Regional County Commissioners in line with the African Union roadmap.
The roadmap prepared in 2016 aims to help regions and states to achieve the goal of silencing guns in Africa.
Dr. Matiang’i asked the public to use the amnesty period to return the illegal arms.
“Members of the public have an obligation to cooperate with security agencies in the course of this nationwide activity. This is the only way we can end the trend of some of the ravages that such arms have visited some parts of our country,” said Matiang’i.
Three months ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta set ablaze 5144 illegal weapons collected during amnesty month in 2020.
Some were confiscated by security offers, while others were voluntarily surrendered to agencies collecting illegal arms and light weapons.
“By publicly destroying illicit weapons, Kenya once again openly demonstrates that we are determined and ready to face the challenges posed by small arms and light weapons,” said President Kenyatta on June 9, 2021.
