Interior CS picks Charles Mwongera to head Firearms Licensing Board

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has appointed Charles Mwongera as the Chairperson of the Firearms Licensing Board days after it was disbanded.

Through a gazette notice on Wednesday, the CS also appointed six members to the new board.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 (2) of the Firearms act, the Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Co-ordination of National Government appoints…to be members of the Firearms Licensing Board, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from 3rd December, 2018,” the notice read in part.

The new members are David Kahinga, Jackson Kimutai Rotich, Vincent Wahoro, Nancy Kabete, Justin Odhiambo Khaduli and Lazarus Mbondo.

The Interior boss further revoked prior appointments made through vide Gazette notices.

“The prior appointments made vide Gazette Notices Nos. 1619 of 2016, 10383 of 2017, and 7266 and of 8536 of 2018 are revoked,” he said.

Last week, Matiang’i announced that his ministry was in the process of reconstructing a new Board with the aim of weeding out corruption, incompetence and misbehaviour that ailed the previous team.

“We have been working quietly in the last few months to create a digital record of all those who hold genuine and legit firearms certificates. The exercise is almost complete.

“We shall be issuing new certificates soon. Anyone not holding the new certificate, will be deemed to be holding an illegal firearm,” he said.