Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo on Wednesday, November 20 officially opened the Forum of Small Arms and Light Weapons Experts Meeting in Nairobi.
The forum brings together regional stakeholders to discuss collaborative strategies to combat the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, a critical issue affecting peace and security in the region.
Accompanying Dr. Omollo were Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji, Executive Secretary of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA), and SAIGP Jacinta Muthoni, Director of the Kenya National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons (KNFP).
In his address, the PS emphasized the need to enhance border controls, strengthen legal frameworks, and promote responsible transfers of small arms and light weapons to address this growing threat effectively.
Dr. Omollo also underscored the importance of improving stockpile management and implementing comprehensive disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs to empower individuals and communities to lead peaceful and productive lives.
He highlighted Kenya’s belief that through collective efforts, substantial progress can be made in reducing the accessibility of illicit arms and curbing their devastating impact on societies.
Since the establishment of RECSA in 2005, significant strides have been made in addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Dr. Omollo acknowledged the robust measures Kenya and other member states have implemented to curb illicit arms trade, enhance national frameworks, and promote regional security.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s unwavering commitment to regional collaboration in tackling this challenge and called for enhanced efforts to sustain the gains achieved thus far.
