- Over 6,000 illegal firearms destroyed in Ngong
- Weapons recovered from 2022–2025 via amnesty and operations
- Ruto warns illegal guns threaten peace and safety
- Calls for regional unity to fight arms trafficking
- Government pledges police reform, better equipment, and welfare
- Disarmament is part of the Africa-wide “Silencing the Guns” mission
More than 6,000 illegal firearms were reduced to scrap metal on Friday as President William Ruto led a major disarmament event at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong. The firearms were gathered over the past three years, with some handed over voluntarily through amnesty, while others were captured during police operations.
While addressing officers and guests, the President said firearms in criminal hands pose a serious risk to national peace. “A gun with the wrong person doesn’t protect — it destroys,” he said, noting that these weapons increase lawlessness and break down community safety.
Kenya Joins Africa’s Big Push to End Gun Violence
The destruction event is part of a wider African Union initiative — “Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030.” President Ruto praised RECSA (Regional Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons) for its 20 years of work across Eastern Africa. He warned that illegal guns continue to spread across borders, feeding violence in many countries.
The President also called on neighbouring countries to unite in solving insecurity. “Peace in one country helps the entire region,” he said, pushing for shared policies and regional collaboration on arms control.
Ruto urged anyone still hiding illegal guns to surrender them immediately. He warned that such weapons put their owners in more danger than protection, saying, “An illegal firearm doesn’t make you safe — it makes you a target.”
The Head of State used the occasion to touch on ongoing police reforms. He promised better housing, improved working tools, and full insurance coverage for police officers. “We are working to make the police service more professional, while kicking out rogue officers abusing power,” he assured.
President Ruto wrapped up his remarks by promising to uphold citizen rights and deal firmly with any lawbreakers in uniform. He said the government will not tolerate misuse of police power and will keep holding officers accountable.
