Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has named Charles Mwongera the new Firearms Licensing Board chairperson after disbanding it on Friday.
In a gazette notice on Wednesday, the CS also appointed six other members who will serve for a period of three years, effective December 3, 2018.
“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 other board members are David Kahinga, Jackson Kimutai, Vincent Wahoro, Nancy Kabete, Justin Odhiambo and Lazarus Mbondo.
Matiang’i also revoked prior appointments.
“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.
According to the CS the board had been infiltrated by a cartel that was issuing fake permits to illegal firearm holders.
Read: Students From Ambira High School Hurl Insults At CSs Amina And Matiang’i (Video)
He also noted that a digital register for firearm holders is set to be rolled out and a comprehensive audit on the Kenya Police Reserve to know who owns guns carried out.
“In the next one year, we will have a record of anyone who is a KPR so that we do not have militias in the name of KPRs because firearms could be misused,” the CS said.
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