Aasai

President William Ruto on Friday, June 13, 2025, led a significant national exercise aimed at curbing the spread of illicit weapons by presiding over the destruction of more than 6,000 illegal firearms. The ceremony took place at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong, Kajiado County, and was attended by top government officials, members of the security services, and regional representatives. The move is part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle insecurity, strengthen national safety, and promote peace across the East African region.

The firearms destroyed had been recovered between 2022 and 2025 through various means. A considerable number were voluntarily surrendered by members of the public through government-led amnesty initiatives and community disarmament campaigns. Others were seized during targeted security operations that aimed to dismantle criminal networks and remove dangerous weapons from circulation. By publicly destroying these arms, the government aims to send a strong message against illegal firearm possession and demonstrate its commitment to peace and the rule of law.

In his address, President Ruto emphasized the dangers posed by illegal weapons, warning that their presence in the hands of criminals is a direct threat to public safety. “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,” he said. He added that illegal arms facilitate lawlessness, fuel conflict, and undermine efforts to maintain order and security across the country.

The President used the occasion to call for stronger regional collaboration in the fight against the spread of small arms and light weapons. He pointed out that insecurity in one country can easily spill over into neighboring nations, making collective action essential. “If we sort out insecurity in one country, we sort out the region,” he stated, advocating for harmonised policies and a united regional approach to disarmament.

Ruto also used the platform to outline key reforms underway in the police service. He pledged to enhance the welfare of police officers by modernising their equipment, improving housing, and providing comprehensive insurance coverage. According to the President, a well-equipped and well-supported police force is essential to maintaining law and order. However, he was firm in his stance against misuse of power within the service. “We will make sure we professionalize the police service and eliminate police men and women who abuse the authority they have,” he said, underlining his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards rogue officers.

The event also aligned with continental and regional peace efforts, including the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030” initiative. President Ruto commended the Regional Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), which is celebrating 20 years of coordinating the region’s arms control and management strategies. He noted that the Eastern Africa region remains vulnerable to the threat of illegal firearms, many of which can cross porous borders and find their way into communities, exacerbating insecurity.

In his closing remarks, the President appealed to individuals still holding illegal firearms to surrender them, warning that such weapons do more harm than good. “An illegal firearm makes you less safe; it compromises your safety rather than securing it,” he cautioned. He also reassured Kenyans that his government remains fully committed to protecting them from both criminal elements and rogue police officers who violate their oath of service.

“We will protect citizens from rogue police officers and hold them to account,” President Ruto concluded, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to building a safer, more secure Kenya grounded in justice, transparency, and professional law enforcement.