Deadline Looms: Uhuru Must Hand Over Guns by Tomorrow
The government has ordered the family and close associates of former President Uhuru Kenyatta to surrender all registered firearms to the Karen Police Station by Monday, July 24.
This comes two days after police raided the residence of Jomo Kenyatta, the son of the former president, in search of illegally registered firearms used in the recent wave of protests, as claimed by the State.
The state has indicated that the family possesses 28 registered firearms that they wish to have subjected to ballistic testing to ascertain whether they were used during the three-day Azimio la Umoja mass demonstrations.
The Interior Ministry has not specified what may occur if the family refuses to surrender the firearm. The family is one of the wealthiest and most powerful in Kenya, with investments in multiple sectors, including real estate, milk processing, institutions, and vast tracts of land.
The government targeted the family of the former president who had a falling out with President William Ruto during his last term for the first time on Friday.
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Ruto and his allies have accused Uhuru of funding the anti-government demonstrations led by Raila Odinga, leader of the opposition party Azimio. Uhuru has denied these allegations.
Uhuru has also questioned the government’s motivation for targeting his family and calling out his name, despite his peaceful retirement and transfer of power.
“If I am the issue, simply come for me. My silence is not indicative of dread. Directly approach me. Why should I involve my mother and son in whatever is occurring? Am I committing a crime by associating with Raila?” He struck a pose.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki defended the officers’ raid, stating that three residences in Karen, Nairobi were targeted, including Jomo Kenyatta’s.
He noted that police had recovered 23 firearms from the other two residences during the raid.
Kindiki stated, “Today’s (Friday’s) operation is part of a larger operation targeting dozens of gun owners who are reasonably suspected of using firearms not only to support violent protests but also for other illegal activities.”
Deadline Looms: Uhuru Must Hand Over Guns by Tomorrow
