Civilians in possession of illicit firearms have until 30th of September 2019 to surrender them to authorities.
Director of the Kenya National Focal point on small arms Mohamed Amin urged civilians to make good use of the amnesty window assuring them that they will not be arrested upon surrendering weapons within the grace period.
All persons in possession of illicit guns have been called upon to surrender them to the police, local administration offices, religious and community leaders without fear of intimidation or prosecution before the end of September.
The Director of the Kenya National Focal point on small arms Mohamed Amin says that during the amnesty period of September, no arrests will be made on those who heed the call.
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However, those who will not have done so within that period will face the full force of the law as the government will pursue seizure of the arms.
This even as it emerged that there are between 550,000-650,000 illegally held firearms in Kenya hence hampering peace and contributing to an influx in ills such as terrorism, cattle rustling and poaching.
Further, over the last year, over 8000 unregistered firearms were seized and will be destroyed publicly alongside others by the end of the amnesty period.
On Thursday, Rift Valley Regional coordinator George Natembeya called on those holding illegal firearms in Samburu County to voluntarily surrender them to authorities.
Natembeya who was in Samburu county warned those still holding illegal firearms to voluntarily surrender them to authorities or face the full force of the law.
The planned mop-up exercise by the government will also target senior civil servants and politicians who are known to arm herders who look after their cattle.