NAIROBI, Kenya—Principal Secretary, State Department for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo has disclosed Kenya’s efforts to reduce small arms proliferation in the region.
PS Omollo made the remarks on Monday, January 20, 2025, during a meeting with the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) Executive Secretary, Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji, in Nairobi.
“Kenya, as the current Chair of the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons @recsasec, is actively implementing the resolutions from the 15th Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting held in Nairobi in 2024,” said PS Omollo after the meeting in his office.
Why PS Raymond Omollo convened a regional security meeting
In line with these efforts, PS Omollo convened a meeting with Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji to discuss strategies for enhancing regional cooperation in combating the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“We appreciate Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo @ray_omollo’s fruitful engagement with RECSA Executive Secretary, Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji. We are optimistic about the successful hosting of the 11th RECSA Council of Ministers meeting by the Government of Kenya, advancing our collective efforts against illicit arms proliferation,” RECSA said in a statement.
I opened the 15th Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting in Nairobi. This crucial forum focused on addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons a persistent threat that exacerbates conflicts, fuels terrorism, and…
The RECSA Secretariat organised the 15th Ordinary Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting, which took place from November 20 to 22, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya.
This significant event was convened in line with Article 11 of the Agreement Establishing RECSA. It marked a vital step towards advancing small arms and light weapons (SALW) management and control initiatives across the region.
The event marked a milestone in regional cooperation, aligning with the resolutions of the 3rd Extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting as the country reaffirms its leadership in addressing the proliferation of SALW in the Great Lakes Region and Horn of Africa.
In Nairobi, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasised the urgent need for RECSA member states to enhance cooperation, stockpile management, and harmonise arms control policies.
What was discussed during the 15th Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting
He also called on partners to bolster RECSA’s capacity to address regional security challenges effectively.
While reiterating the importance of aligning national laws with the Nairobi Protocol, Mudavadi noted that the overview of the security status highlights the devastating impacts that the unregulated flow of illicit small arms continues to have, such as fuelling armed conflicts, illegal exploitation of natural resources, terrorism, cattle rustling, and other serious crimes.
According to the then Interior Acting CS, these destabilising forces are undermining our states’ peace, security, and development.
“The Agreement Establishing RECSA clearly outlines our shared responsibility to identify and prioritise areas of common interventions,” he argued.
We appreciate Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo @ray_omollo for the fruitful engagement with RECSA Executive Secretary, Mr. Jean Pierre Betindji. We are optimistic about the successful hosting of the 11th RECSA Council of Ministers meeting by the Government of Kenya,…
Concurrently, PS Omollo reaffirmed Kenya’s progress in marking firearms and ammunition.
“As prescribed by RECSA, Kenya is nearing completion of its ambitious marking of firearms and ammunition. The National Police Service (NPS) has already marked 98% of its firearms stock, while the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are at 70%,” the PS disclosed.
Alluding to the implementation status of previous Council of Ministers resolutions, PS Omollo reiterated that member states must recommit themselves to the principles and objectives of the Nairobi Declaration and the Nairobi Protocol.
The outcomes of the 15th TAC Meeting will shape the agenda for the 11th COM Meeting, further advancing regional cooperation and sustainable SALW management.
