A cache of firearms displayed at the Baragoi Police Station on April 14, 2023.

📋 Breaking It Down

The government lost at least 42 firearms and 107 rounds of ammunition between January 2024 and June 2026 across the country, according to a report tabled in Parliament.

The guns were lost across the country, mainly through attacks on police installations and ambushes on officers.

Of these, 30 firearms have since been recovered, leaving 12 firearms and 75 rounds of ammunition unaccounted for and posing a continuing risk to public safety and law enforcement.

📌 What You Need to Know

Rift Valley, Central and Eastern regions account for the highest incidence of loss, largely attributable to attacks on police posts and ambushes on officers in those areas.

“These incidents underscore the urgency of enhancing the current accountability framework,” reads the submission by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja before the National Assembly Public Petitions committee

In the event of a stolen or lost firearm, the Service currently relies on a manual process involving incident reporting, mobilization of search teams and circulation of firearm particulars within the Service and to other law enforcement agencies.

The committee now wants the Inspector General of Police to present to parliament a policy framework required for the setting up of the digital system and budgetary requirements in the 2027/28 Financial year.

This picture taken on April 20, 2021 shows one of the guns surrendered to DCI by Citizen TV after they aired an investigative story title 'Guns Galore'

The digital tracking system of firearms will instantly notify the police in case guns land in the hands of civilians.

📰 Source: Nation Africa