Court to rule on withdrawal of Johos firearms

The High Court will on December 16, 2016 deliver its judgment in a case where Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has sued Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery over revocation of his firearms.

Judge George Odunga set the date after the parties in the matter filed their final submissions.

Meanwhile, orders stopping the arrest or withdrawal of Joho’s firearms have been extended.

In the case, Governor Joho argues that that CS Nkaissery had no powers to order the revocation of his firearm licenses, adding that he also cannot order the withdrawal of firearms.

“The Firearms Act which gave the Inspector General of Police powers to appoint licensing officers was repealed and a licensing board put in its place for certification, issuance and termination of firearms,” argued Joho.

However, the CS has asked the court to dismiss the case arguing that it lacks merit.

In March this year, Judge Odunga while issuing temporary orders stopping the arrest of Joho said that that the power to cancel his firearm licenses rested with the licensing board, and not the Interior CS.