PS Raymond Omollo on measures Kenya has undertaken to combat proliferation of small arms and light weapons

Speaking during the fourth review conference (REVCON4) on small arms and light weapons held in Nairobi on Tuesday, Omollo said Kenya recognizes the crucial need to strengthen its national legal and institutional frameworks, enhance border controls, and promote regional cooperation in arms control.

“We have taken significant steps towards these goals, such as enhancing physical security and stockpile management of government stockpiles, capacity building of our law enforcement agencies on national and other international guidelines on small arms control, and investing in modern technologies and equipment to enhance our border surveillance capabilities,” Omollo said.

The PS said for this to be achieved, it requires sustained political will, adequate resources and enhanced international cooperation and assistance.

Omollo urged participating countries to reaffirm their commitment to implementing the relevant international instruments, among others, the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, its International Tracing Instrument, Nairobi Protocol and SADC Protocol.

“As a government, Kenya remains committed to promoting peace and security, and we will continue to work tirelessly towards achieving this goal, both domestically and internationally,” he added. 

Present during the conference were UN Under Secretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, and Ambassador Maritza Chan Valverde, the President Designate of the REVCON 4.

On her part, Chan said her role in the coming weeks is to listen carefully and to try to forge a way forward in regards to the deliberations made.

“I will also seek to engage with a wide range of relevant stakeholders, not only from state governments but also intergovernmental and regional organisations, industry and the private sector, and especially civil society organisations, who can contribute with their perspectives to our negotiations” Chan said.

She added that the conference will help in touching a number of important areas, including development in technologies, international cooperation and assistance, integration and integration of small arms control into development process, among others.

“I look forward to the discussions we will have in the coming days as well as over the coming months. I would also like to encourage you to consider submitting working papers ahead of the review conference which can help further inform our discussions,” she added.