Senior police officer admits licensed gun owners not well vetted

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo (left) and National Police Service Commission (NPSC) chairman Johnston Kavuludi (right) at a past news conference. PHOTO/FILE   NATION MEDIA GROUP

By ZADOCK ANGIRA
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The police Chief Firearms Licensing Officer Francis Mwangi Wanjohi has admitted that no thorough vetting is done before guns are issued to applicants.

"The government should also make it a requirement that all firearm holders must be retrained and issued with a certificate of competency before the licenses are renewed," he said.

Mr Wanjohi, who is a former Presidential Escort commander, was speaking Thursday during the ongoing police vetting.

The second phase of the police vetting is now on its third day, with 25 top officers expected to go through the process.

The first phase involved seven officers where three of them were retired from the service after they failed the competence and suitability test.

(Read: Top cops fired over millions in bank accounts)

FAST-TRACK REFORMS

During the Thursday vetting, deputy boss of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Gideon Kimilu told the panel that when the CID came up with the Strategic Plan to fast-track reforms, it was accused of trying to secede.

The lack of cooperation led to officers being posted to specialised units from the General Service Unit or Traffic.

"Officers were posted directly to Banking Fraud, Kenya Revenue Authority, or even the Cyber Crime unit. This is despite the fact that they did not possess investigative skills," he revealed.

Mr Kimilu said that since Administration Police officers were on the ground, it was important that they be taught on investigation and evidence collection.

"Most AP officers are usually the first to arrive to the scenes of crime but the evidence is normally compromised due to the manner in which they are handled," he told the panel

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo has warned officers both serving and those recently retired that stern action would be taken against them for deliberately giving false information about the vetting.

Mr Kimaiyo has directed the CID boss to initiate investigations on the matter.