Two MPs Lose Right to Carry Guns After IG Order

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The Firearm Licensing Board has revoked the licenses of Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapodi following misconduct and misuse of firearms during the Kabuchai MP by-election on Thursday, March 4.

The board, in a statement, says it had been directed by the Inspector General of the National Police service to revoke the licenses.

“The Firearm Licensing Board has upon direction by the Inspector General of the National Police Service and upon its own reflection on the misconduct by the Licensed Firearm Certificate Holders hereby forthwith and with immediate effect revokes the licenses of the following: Didmus Barasa and Fred Kapondi,” read the statement.

Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa addresses members of the public on December 4, 2019.
Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa addresses members of the public on December 4, 2019.
Kenyans.co.ke

The board further notified the legislators to surrender the Firearm Certificates and the firearms.

They were directed that if they were in possession of any other licenses they should also surrender them to the Board or the nearest Police Station within 24 hours . 

The two MPs were warned that if they did not comply to the directive, they would bear the consequences as legal action would be taken against them.

The Board further stated that they were monitoring all cases relating to misuse of firearms by Licensed Civilian Firearm Holders.

The MPs were among two other Tangatanga-allied legislators who were arrested on Thursday for planing to cause violence during the elections.

The police revealed that the leaders were in possession of weapons in their vehicles, and had refused to have their fingerprints taken.

They were charged in a Bungoma court and released on a Ksh 50,000 bond after denying the charges against them on Friday, February 5.

Barasa denied claims saying they were representing their parties by going around checking how the voting was going on.

“We didn’t intimidate or threaten anyone. We were supervising election as agents when we were arrested,” said Barasa.

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Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapodi address the media in June, 2019.
Daily Nation
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