Board Resumes Civilian Gun Licensing
The exercise was withheld in 2020 following the pandemic's arrival in the country. The government through the Interior was in the process of vetting gun holders, over increased misuse and fake licenses.
Justin Nzioka 
The Firearms Licensing Board recently resumed the renewing of gun possession by civilians. The exercise resumed last week, a year since its suspension in 2020.
Board Chair Charles Mukinda stated that they were only renewing licenses for the individuals availing themselves for necessary procedures before the renewals.
Licensed gun holders revealed having been summoned by the board for the renewal process. The renewal was put on hold in 2020 following the Covid-19 outbreak.
The development saw the board allowing civilians to possess guns even with their expired licenses. According to the law, private gun holders are required to renew their ownership annually.
To ease the licensing renewal, the board is working to have the exercise digitalized and uploaded on the E-citizen website, where individuals can easily apply for such.
In 2018, the Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i called upon vetting of all gun holders, citing increased circulation of fake licenses.
Additionally, others were misusing their firearms. The vetting would entail a mental test by a psychologist, criminal record checks and testing of the firearms by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations [DCI].
