Uhuru Ordered To Surrender All Guns By Tomorrow

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's family has been ordered by the government to surrender all guns in their possession by Monday, July 24.

The former head of state's brother, son and their four other close associates were ordered to surrender 28 weapons registered in their names to the Firearm Licensing Board in Nairobi.

The directive comes two days after the police raided the home of the former president's son Jomo Kenyatta, claiming that they were looking for guns alleged to have been illegally registered and used in the recent wave of protests.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta outside his son's house in Karen on July 21, 2023. /VIRALTEAKE

The state has indicated that it wants the family's 28 firearms for ballistic examinations to determine whether the firearms were used during the three-day Azimio la Umoja mass protests.

Speaking to the press, the family lawyer said the former first family was ready to comply with the directive and was open to understanding why it was issued.

"According to the chief licensing officer, there are firearms that are possessed by the family and that they need to be surrendered. We are happy to meet the chief licensing officer on Monday morning to understand the request and to also understand how we can facilitate the process," the lawyer said.

The Ministry of Interior has however not indicated what could happen to the family should they fail to surrender the firearms.

The Kenyatta family is considered to be among the wealthiest and most influential families in Kenya, with investments spanning different sectors including real estate, milk processing, schools and huge tracts of land. 

Friday's raid was however the first time the government was boldly targeting the former Head of State whose bitter fallout with President William Ruto in his second term became a subject of headlines.

Late Friday night, July 21, Uhuru was prompted to rush to his son's home in Karen after Jomo called him informing him of officers surrounding his home. He complained that the government had gone to the extreme that his family was becoming an unwarranted target.

He questioned why the officers went to his son's house at night in vehicles with foreign number plates and did not present a search warrant.

"I am not demanding any security from them, if they want they want to recall all of them, let them do so," he added.

"Do not think you can intimidate an old woman, children, and grandchildren to intimidate me, if you want me, come I have not run away. Your people know where I am all the time but leave the children alone," Uhuru dared.