Police from Imenti North in Meru County received a used AK47 rifle on Wednesday, February 14, after a church member surrendered it to their pastor.
After praying for his congregation, Bishop Nathan Kirimi from Jesus Winner’s church requested those who had given their lives to Christ to remain behind.
One of the worshipers, after getting saved, remained behind after the service. They approached the pastor and confessed to having a rifle at their home, which they wanted to let go of.
“One of my members came to me and requested to surrender the weapon to me, and as a servant of God, we serve the people and help the government in maintaining peace,” Bishop Nathan stated.
Police Commander Imenti North Ezekiel Chepkwony speaking on Wednesday, stated that the congregant surrendered the rifle wrapped in a jacket and a sisal bag to the pastor.
“One of the people who gave their life to Jesus at the church met the pastor later and told him that he had something he wanted to surrender to him,” the police commander stated.
The pastor later took the weapon to the police station and recorded a statement to assist the officers with investigations.
“The rifle is a bit rusty but it seems it has been used, it seems it has been active since it has the magazine of 17 rounds of 7.62 mm special which is not the normal ammunition,” Chepkwony noted.
Thanking the bishop for reporting the incident, the police commander urged residents to forward any illegal firearms, and report incidents involving the use of any kind of weapons.
Chepkwony further sent out a warning to people possessing illegal firearms, promising to intensify the crackdown in efforts to reduce armed robberies and insecurity in the area.
The Firearm Licensing Board (FLB) in efforts to streamline firearm licensing in the country moved their services to the eCitizen, directing interested people to access the services through the government’s pay bill number 222222.
The firearm licensing regulations direct that all firearms and ammunition be stored securely, advising owners to report theft as soon as it happens.
