NAIROBI, Kenya – In a step towards curbing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa, Kenya hosted the 15th Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting of the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA).
The meeting, held in Nairobi, convened Chiefs of Police, Principal Secretaries from Interior Ministries, and RECSA Member States.
Central to the discussions were the validation of the Regional Action Plan on Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM) and the adoption of a new Harmonized Reporting Tool aimed at enhancing SALW control across the region.
Jean Pierre Betindji, RECSA’s Executive Secretary, used the platform to deliver his first address, emphasizing the organization’s priorities: strengthening partnerships, advancing research, and promoting advocacy for arms control.
He highlighted recent milestones, including securing funding under the Silencing the Guns Initiative and launching capacity-building programs such as regional training in Physical Security and Stockpile Management, supported by Austria.
Betindji noted that partnerships and actionable strategies are key to winning the fight against illicit arms.
Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and Chairperson of TAC, provided an update on Kenya’s progress in firearms marking—a critical step in tracking and controlling the flow of arms.
He noted that aligning national laws with the Nairobi Protocol is crucial for achieving sustainable arms control.
“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 percent of its firearms stock while the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is at 70 percent,” he said.
The Acting Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, who served as the meeting’s chief guest, called for greater collaboration among RECSA member states.
He stressed the importance of improved stockpile management and harmonized policies to tackle regional security challenges effectively.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from member states to collective action in combating illicit arms proliferation.
With key agreements in place, the TAC gathering reaffirmed a shared vision for a safer, more secure future in the region.
