On Sunday, April 18, 2021, Citizen TV aired an expose that has left Kenyans questioning the moral and integrity fabric of police officers in the country.
Investigative Journalist Purity Mwambia went undercover for almost a year, bringing to light how officers lease their guns, uniforms and handcuffs to criminals for as low as Ksh1,000.
In her words, it was as easy as walking into an open air market.
The expose revealed how the police hire out their equipment to thugs who in turn use them to terrorise members of the public.
Since the daring and damning expose, Kenyans have raised concerns over the Ksh4 billion small arms factory commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Ruiru.
A section of netizens has since alleged that access to guns will be easier upon completion of the guns factory. They argued that crime would skyrocket when the project is complete.
Former Presidential candidate Mwalimu Abduba Dida took a swipe at the project, claiming that at this rate, Kenyans will buy guns from hawkers in the next few years.
“Purity Mwambia carrying that AK47 to the studio like it’s some breakfast, what a sad reality we live in. Meanwhile, machines have started roaring in President Uhuru’s arms manufacturing plant in Ruiru. In 2 years’ time, we shall be buying guns from hawkers,” Dida critiqued.
Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi joined in with the jabs, sarcastically suggesting that the Head of State orders an increase in gun production at the arms factory, enough to arm all Kenyans.
“There is a workable solution out of Guns Galore. Increase the production capacity of Ruiru Rifle Factory Ltd (RRF) to 30 million rifles per year. Distribute the rifles equally to all eligible voters. Let us make a Wild-West out of Kenya and be done with it,” Havi opined.
The factory was launched by President Kenyatta on April 8, 2021, and has a production capacity of 12,000 fire arms per year.
The Head of State had announced that the project will help the country be self-reliant on production of small arms, enough to arm law enforcement agencies, and cut back on the costs of importation.
The project last came under criticism when Kenyans questioned the availability of funds to set up the factory and none to cushion members of the public against the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
