A stack of burning confiscated and surrendered firearms during the RECSA commemoration ceremony in Ngong, Kajiado county on June 13, 2025/PCS
In a dramatic display of its commitment to curbing the spread of illicit weapons, Kenya on Friday destroyed more than 6,000 illegal firearms—its second-largest public burn-off to date.
The exercise took place at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong and marked a powerful statement on the country’s long-running campaign to enhance peace and regional stability.
The weapons, collected between 2022 and 2025, were either surrendered voluntarily under amnesty programmes or seized during targeted security operations.
With this latest destruction, Kenya has now disposed of nearly 40,000 illegal firearms over the past two decades.
President William Ruto, who presided over the event, underscored the government’s firm stance against the threat posed by illegal arms.
“A firearm in the wrong hands is not just a potent weapon—it is a direct assault on the safety of our citizens, the stability of our society, and the peace we have worked so diligently to build,” said Ruto.
“We will not allow violence to take root in our communities. Our commitment to disarming those who threaten our peace is unwavering.”
Ruto also praised the role of both citizens and security agencies in supporting the disarmament push.
He linked Kenya’s progress to broader continental goals, particularly the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns by 2030” initiative.
“The destruction of these weapons is evidence that our peace and security strategy is working,” he said.
The event also coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), an intergovernmental body that coordinates disarmament efforts across 15 countries in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa regions.
Since its inception, RECSA has helped facilitate the destruction of over 400,000 illicit firearms across its member states.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation in sustaining peace efforts.
“It is futile for one country to disarm in isolation,” he said. “Without collaboration with neighbors like Ethiopia, Somalia, and Uganda, our operations in regions like Marsabit and the Rift Valley cannot have a lasting impact.”
Murkomen also pointed to the success of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a multi-agency initiative that has reportedly slashed banditry incidents by up to 70 percent through coordinated action involving the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Forest Service, and Kenya Wildlife Service.
On the sidelines of the firearm destruction, Kenya hosted and chaired the 11th RECSA Council of Ministers Meeting.
Member states are expected to adopt a revised agreement to strengthen RECSA’s mandate, following recommendations from the 16th Technical Advisory Committee.
Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and chair of the TAC, reaffirmed Kenya’s dedication to tackling the flow of illicit arms.
“Two key priorities are securing sustainable funding for RECSA and using technology to enhance cross-border arms tracing and intelligence sharing,” he said. “This week marks 20 years of collective progress—and today’s actions reinforce our shared vision of a secure region.”
The event and accompanying ministerial meetings highlight Kenya’s growing leadership in the fight against small arms proliferation and its continued push for a safer, more stable East and Central Africa.
