Take aim, FIRE! Thousands of illegal weapons set alight as Kenya clamps down on smugglers

Kenyan authorities have destroyed more than 2,500 seized firearms in a UN-backed initiative to reduce gun crime in East Africa.
Political instability in the region is a major factor in the widespread crime culture, Kenyan Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti said, with an estimated 100,000 firearms in circulation.
'We are surrounded by countries which have had problems at one point or another, that is the reality and it must be understood by Kenyans,' he said, referring to Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi.

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Ready: A soldier patrols the area as the bonfire is prepared

'That is what has caused our problems, even in Somalia, more than 20 years now they have been fighting with guns, they have brought us problems here.'
Many of the guns were found in raids on rural communities.
'People living in these areas easily acquire firearms from neighbouring communities, and this is a challenge to the government,' Mr Saitoti said.

He said efforts to stop them being smuggled into Kenya had been stepped up.
Mr Saitoti continued: 'The government has held fruitful discussions with Uganda, and Ethiopia among other neighboring countries and we are optimistic the initiative will yield desired results.'

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Up in flames: The weapons are set alight. The metal parts are later melted down

The firearms destroyed yesterday had a value of about £13,000 (1.5million Kenyan shillings) - just £5 per weapon.

'People are spending a lot of money to buy these firearms we are destroying here today; they need to be educated and have confidence in the government and stop owning guns because we are there to protect them,' Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Francis Kimemia said.
'This is a war that calls for concerted effort among members of the International community, governments, private sector, faith-based organisations and law abiding citizens.'.    dailymail