Its been a battle of arms between Matiang’i and gun owners in Kenya after the interior cabinet secretary made a move that crossed the paths of the weapon holders.
The government has suffered a setback in the implementation of the gazette notice ordering the fresh vetting of licensed gun owners.
This follows a court’s decision on Monday suspending the notice pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by the by the National Gun Owners Association (NGAO).
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i had ordered all civilian gun owners to undergo mandatory fresh vetting in the next three months.
Justice John Mativo, however, stayed Matiang’i’s order until the case by NGAO is heard and determined.
Judge Mativo further temporarily suspended the appointment of new members of the Firearms and Licensing board.
The court directed parties to serve the respondents and appear in court on January 16 for further directions.
The civilian Gun owners association filed their petition at Milimani Law Courts on Thursday, seeking to suspend CS Matiang’i’s order until their case is heard and determined.
They challenged the order to suspend the licence of the shooting range in Gitata Farm at Kirigiti, Kiambu, arguing that the move is illegal.
They also argue that the order made declaring the Sterling-Patchett MK5, CZ Scorpion EVo 3 and MP5 as prohibited firearms to civilians is unlawful.
The vetting is supposed to be carried out by the new Firearms Licensing Board (FLB), in a 90-day rigorous verification exercise of all firearms and the certificates in the country.
According to Matiang’i, this move seeks to establish, maintain and monitor a centralized electronic register of all civilians holding firearms.