President William Ruto on Friday, June 13 presided over the destruction of more than 6000 firearms, recovered between 2022 and 2025 at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong, Kajiado County.

Speaking during the ceremony, President William Ruto emphasised the danger of illegal firearms landing in the wrong hands, adding the government will not allow violence to take root in communities.

“In the hands of criminals, such a firearm enables lawlessness, escalates violence and undermines the rule of law. Today’s ceremony, which marks the destruction of more than 6000 firearms recovered between 2022 and 2025, therefore sends a clear and powerful message. We will not allow violence to take root in our communities, and we remain firmly committed to disarming those who threaten our peace and to strengthen the safety and security of every citizen.”

A majority of the firearms destroyed were voluntarily surrendered by members of the public who responded to amnesty programmes and community disarmament campaigns. A significant number were also obtained through security agencies during targeted operations.

The recovering of illicit small firearms and light weapons is alligned with the African Union’s ‘Sliencing of the Gun by 2030’ initiative. President Ruto acknowledged that the country has made great progress towards the initiative.

He urged citizens who possess illegal firearm to surrender to the authorities.

“I therefore call upon all citizens who may possess illegal firearms to take advantage of our current amnesty and surrender the weapons to the authority. I want to ask every citizen not to wait,” he said.