Nairobi Police have found that gangs in the Kayole and Eastleigh areas are using homemade weapons to carry out criminal activities.
Recently, police have found a growing number of homemade weapons used against arrested young gang members. This year, no fewer than 25 homemade weapons have been recovered from gang-held areas.
At least 15 homemade pistols were recovered in June alone, with more than half by gang members from Kayole or Eastleigh. The majority of homemade weapons have been discovered on suspects killed by police. Police say the guns’ ability to deliver bullets and kill will make them more sophisticated and deadly.
This has raised concerns among the commissioned police, with a duty to protect the population. Air Force chief Said Kiprono said in March that gang members use the weapons to “facilitate escape when confronted by police.”
Also read: Photos: Meet the youth gangs who mugged, robbed, raped and killed Kenyans
Homemade Weapons – Who Makes Them?
Interrogation of arrested gang members (mainly in Mihango, Huruma and Dandora) found with the homemade weapons has led to the discovery that the deadly weapons are being made by a man described simply as “disabled and notorious”.
Despite police questioning and investigations, little information appears to be available about the unnamed gunmaker. Police speculate that he may be being protected by a very dangerous Dandora gang.
However, police have said they are pinning down a determined gunmaker and asking the public to help with information that could lead to his arrest. National Police Service spokesman George Kinoti said that “several criminals have been arrested with them (homemade weapons) and they are helping us in our crackdown on manufacturers and suppliers.”
Some weapons used by gangs are imported
Police spokesman Kinoti also revealed that some of the weapons used by gang members were smuggled into Kenya through the porous borders of neighboring countries.
Also, homemade guns are in use not only in GermanyNairobi, but other parts of the nation. In fact, a number of robbery cases and illegal possession of firearms are currently pending in courts across the country.
Cases of confiscation of homemade weapons
In Kariobangi, a homemade gun was found on a 40-year-old James Maina shooting at police officers when they arrived to spark an ongoing argument between him and his girlfriend. The police had arrived at the scene after receiving a call from the lady.
On Monday June 19, police shot and killed two robbers on two separate occasions – one in Mowlem and the other in Kayole. Each of them was found in possession of a locally made weapon.
Also on Monday, a brave young girl in Kisimu helped her father to disarm a robber who was home at 9:30 p.m. The robber escaped, leaving behind a gun that police say was stolen from one of their administrative stores in 2015.
Homemade weapons have been discovered in Muratina Street in Eastleigh, Buruburu Street in Captain Mungai in Pangani, Riruta, Makadara, Zimmermann and Soweto in the last two weeks.
Kenya Gun Manufacturing and Gun Owning Laws
The unauthorized manufacture or possession of firearms and ammunition of any kind in Kenya is strictly prohibited by law. The offense carries a penalty of at least ten years’ imprisonment, as well as fines, depending on the nature of the offence.
On the side of manufacture of arms or bulletsArt, the Firearms Act (GAP. 114) Section 9 No. 1 states: “No one shall manufacture firearms or ammunition except in the name of the Government and in a place designated by the Minister for that purpose and established and appointed in accordance with instructions to be given by him.” “Includes the filling, refilling and other processing of ammunition”.
Anyone who comes into gun ownership may only carry a gun or bullet if he or she is certified to do so. Section 4 No. 1 of the Firearms Act states: “No one shall purchase, acquire or possess firearms or ammunition unless he has a then current firearms certificate.” In addition, some types of firearms are prohibited for certain groups of people.
Violation of the aforementioned law carries a prison sentence of 5 to 15 years, depending on the type and nature of the arm (weapon) or ammunition involved.
On the other hand, if the person has an expired certificate of possession at the time of interception, he or she is liable to pay a fine based on how long the certificate has expired or otherwise imprisonment not exceeding 2 years for non-payment the fine.