The police have been directed by the government to revoke the firearm license of Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Simba Arati.
On Thursday, the Firearms Licensing Board (FLB) revoked the permit and asked Arati to surrender his pistol and shotgun by close of business the same day.
The body’s boss Samuel Kimaru remarked that Arati was unfit to be trusted with a firearm.
“In accordance with the Provisions of the Firearms Act Cap 114 Laws of Kenya your Firearm Certificate No. 10242 issued to you on 12 November 2015 is in effect from the date of this notice, revoked.
[caption caption="Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Simba Arati"]
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The Firearms Licensing Board is satisfied that the revocation is warranted under section 3(5) (b) and section 5(7) of the above-mentioned Act for reasons that you are unfit to be entrusted with a firearm anymore,” read the notice sent by the board.
The move by FLB comes as the government launched a crackdown on opposition leaders and other individuals alleged to be behind the swearing in of Raila Odinga.
Arati is a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) which Interior CS Fred Matiang'i declared was an organised criminal group.
All civilians who apply to be issued with firearms are protected under the constitution and they are trained on how to use small arms.
However, a firearm certificate or license may be revoked by the Chief Licensing Officer if the owner is of unsound mind or unfit to be entrusted with a firearm.
[caption caption="Interior CS Fred Matiang'i"]
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A firearm holder can also have their license revoked if they fail to comply with a notice under sub-section (5) requiring him/her to deliver the firearm certificate.
Arati has since moved to court to challenge the decision by the Firearms Licensing Board (FLB).
UPDATES:
4:30 PM: The story was updated to include Arati's move to challenge the FLB's decision in court.
