Former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i has publicly criticized the current administration, accusing it of failing to maintain decisive measures against the smuggling and illegal trade of firearms across the country.
Speaking during a media interview on Wednesday, Matiang’i expressed concern over deteriorating national security, attributing it in part to a relaxed stance on moping up illicit small arms and light weapons.
Matiang’i highlighted that during his tenure alongside former President Uhuru Kenyatta, security agencies actively conducted door-to-door inspections, confiscated illicit weapons, and publicly destroyed seized firearms to deter illegal trafficking.
He noted that Kenya remains exposed due to unstable neighboring countries, making cross-border firearm smuggling a continuous threat that requires sustained operations rather than passive policing.
The former Interior chief linked the laxity in illegal firearm controls to the surge in criminal incidents, including violent robberies and general lawlessness.
He urged security agencies to enforce the Firearms Act without compromise and maintain rigid oversight over private ownership and border surveillance.
Matiang’i warned that without a return to proactive security measures and strict enforcement of arms regulations, the country risks further compounding its security challenges.
