Owning a gun in Kenya is considerably expensive for an ordinary Kenyan. It will cost you between shillings 100, 000 and 350, 000 shillings when purchased legally.
Short guns may cost you between 160, 000 shillings and 350, 000 shillings. Some of the gun shops in Kenya include J.J Okwaro & Co, Spy Shop Limited, Kenya Bunduki, among others.
A gun or firearm license is a permit issued by the mandated government authority of a particular nation that allows an applicant to buy, own, possess, or carry a firearm.
There are several reasons why a person would want to own a gun, however, it must be known there are outlined procedures and requirements for getting a gun license in Kenya.
These procedures have been put in place to make sure firearms are not placed in hands-on criminals or insane people who would use them to harm others.
The Firearms Licensing Board (FLB) in Kenya is responsible for regulating, licensing, and controlling the manufacture, transportation, importation, exportation, repair, sale, storage, possession, and use of ammunition, firearms, air guns, and destructive devices.
The first step is to report to the nearest police station to your area of residence and submit a formal request to own a gun to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS)
You will then be furnished with a form to fill out. The form will also indicate the various documents that are mandatory for any gun owner.
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Requirements
Copy of Identification card or passport
Certificate of good conduct from the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
Psychiatric report from a government hospital
Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
must be of the age of 21 years and above and well trained of handling a gun
How to apply for a gun
Apply with the Firearms Bureau: Visit the Kenya Firearms Bureau located at the Nairobi Area Station to apply for a firearm license. The Chief Licensing Officer will provide you with the prescribed application form for you to complete
Get a clearance with the CID: Have your fingerprints taken and obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from the DCI at the cost of 1050 shillings. The process takes at least two weeks.
Submit the duly filled application form: Submit a duly filled form to the police station nearest to your residence, and attach the following documents:
Identity card or passport copy
Certificate of Good Conduct
Physical and mental fitness certificate
Reviewing of application: Vetting of the application by the County Security Committee and District Security Intelligence Committee before approval or rejection
Clearances by Inspector General of Police: The names of those vetted and cleared for consideration to be licensed as firearm holders are forwarded to the Inspector General of Police, who has the final say to instruct the Chief Licensing Officer to clear the applicants.
Why application may be rejected
An application to own a gun might be rejected if the applicant
Is insane
Is temperamental
Cannot handle or store a gun safely
Reasons for revocation of gun license
Misusing a gun while drunk
Storing it carelessly may endanger others
Removing the gun’s serial number
Misconduct
When one fails to renew their license
When the gun holder is believed to be a threat to public safety and peace
One can appeal to the Inspector General for their case to be reviewed if the license is revoked.