Illegal firearms registration exercise resumes in Isiolo

The government has resumed registration of illegal firearms in Garba Tula area of Isiolo County with three herders surrendering their AK47 rifles to the regional security team.

The move is in line with a directive by Interior Cabinet Secretary, Major gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery, that all firearms in the hands of the public be registered to ensure responsible use.

During the exercise conducted at the Duse Livestock Market, members of the Borana Community elders faulted the government authorities for referring to their guns as illegal.

An elder, Halkano Huka, members of the community acquired the weapons legally and have not, in the past, used them to perpetrate criminal activities.

He added that they had voluntarily presented the guns for registration and expected to be allowed to go back with them and protect themselves and their livestock from any external aggression.

Halkano held that as long as there is no police post in the vast Duse area, the locals will always be at the risk of attacks from bandits, insisting on the need to have even more firearms.

Another elder, Hussein Roba, raised questions why only the Borana herders from Isiolo County were the ones surrendering their firearms for registration while their neighbours from Garissa, Samburu and Meru Counties were yet to register a single firearm.

He expressed fears that the government could short-change them and later disarm the community, citing that it had happened before when they were convinced to surrender their arms with assurances that the government would send more Kenya Police Reservist to the area, only to fail to honour the promise.

Garba Tula Deputy County Commissioner, Kipchumba Ruto, assured the elders that the government would not short-change the community, allaying fears by the elders that the government was out to disarm them. He said that those who present their guns for registration will have them serviced by experts to ensure that they are in a good working condition and handed back to their owners to protect members of the community and their property.

He said that the firearm handlers would be given an identification card and combat uniform while the guns would be fitted with a proper sling and serviced accordingly. The gun handlers will now serve the community with directions from the OCPD and work closely with their respective chiefs.