Following the recent orders by the police requiring Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and selected Coast leaders to return their licensed firearms, Kenyans.co.ke has delved into the gun subject to highlight circumstances when a holder's license can be revoked.
According to the Firearms Act, misconduct by a holder whether or not in possession of the weapon at the time of the incident, can cause the cancellation of his or her license.
The police can also nullify one's certificate, when it is believed that the holder has become a threat to public safety and peace.
Another ground for retraction, is when when the issuing officer realises that circumstances under which the original certificate was issued have changed. In this case, the officer should advise the Central Firearms Bureau not to renew the licence by giving reasons.
However, one can appeal to the Inspector General of Police for review when his or her licence is terminated.
The reason why Joho has been ordered to return all his guns remains unclear, even as Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said on Saturday that investigations into claims that the governor's bodyguards participated in stripping a woman during the Malindi by election were underway.
Nkaissery added that the withdrawal of Governor Joho's bodyguards was part of the government's initiative, to reduce the over 11,000 officers working as security detail to VIPs in the country.
"The government has no time attacking its leaders, we are just reducing security officers of various politicians so they can serve the nation by providing security for all Kenyans," he asserted.
