Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has defended police over the raid on the home of the former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s son in Karen.
In a statement to newsrooms, Prof Kindiki explained that the police staged the operation after intelligence reports linked some illegal firearms to homes in Nairobi’s Karen estate.
“An operation has been going on targeting three homesteads within the Karen area where a total of 23 firearms, some of which are suspected to have been used in illegal activities are kept,” the statement read.
Moreover, Kindiki said some of the firearms and crude weapons which were used during anti-government protests are supplied by a wide network of civilian firearms holders and leaders of known criminal gangs.
The CS noted that the raid was part of a broader operation targeting firearm holders who are suspected of supplying weapons to individuals for illegal activities.
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“On 19th July 2023, a prime suspect was arrested while preparing to distribute a large number of crude weapons to facilitate criminals to inflict violence to the public during the last three days of violent protests,” Kindiki explained.
In addition, the CS said, “The suspect was found in possession of fourteen machetes, twenty-four swords, forty-six rungus and over three hundred sachets of assorted narcotics, including cannabis sativa and cocaine.”
Also found with him were documented describing the distribution of Kshs.42 million across eleven counties in Nairobi, Central and Rift Valley regions.”
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“For avoidance of doubt, security agencies are authorized under the Firearms Act (CAO 114) of the laws of Kenya to inspect premises where firearms are kept, to require civilian firearm holders to produce them for inspection and ballistic examination where it is suspected that such firearms or ammunition may have been used or expended outside the law,” Kindiki concluded his statement.
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Uhuru Dares Ruto and Kindiki
On Friday, July 21, the former head of state came out guns blazing and dared President William Ruto to go after him directly instead of using state agencies to harass his family.
“Instead of going on cars to claim, I am here, do you have to look for my mother, do you have to go to look for my children? Come for me,” the retired president said.
He went ahead to say that he will defend his family to the end.
“I have now a situation where my son’s home is being raided for things, I don’t know… I will defend my family and I will defend it to the end.”
According to Uhuru Kenyatta, he did not understand why his family was a target when the law allows private citizens to own firearms.
“They want to take away their personal weapons. Are they planning something and if they are then my only plea is they plan it against me.
How many people are licensed to own weapons in this county? Did they not follow the right procedure (the son)? Tell us if it is a question of illegal weapons,” a visibly angry Uhuru retorted.
