Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki issued a statement on Friday confirming his security officer's rain on three homes in the upmarket Karen area over firearms and crude weapons allegedly used during the anti-government demonstrations.

In the statement, Kindiki revealed a disturbing claim made by security intelligence agencies in regard to the circumstances surrounding the protests.

According to the statement, an investigation has unveiled a wide network of civilian firearm holders and leaders of known criminal gangs, responsible for supplying weapons, including firearms and crude weapons, that have fueled violence during recent protests in the country.

"These civilian firearms and crude weapons have been credibly suspected to have caused harm to both law enforcement personnel and civilians alike during the violent protests experienced in the past few weeks," Kindiki announced.

In response to the escalating unrest and to curtail the activities of criminal gang leaders, the CS said law enforcement agencies have significantly intensified their efforts.

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They have initiated a nationwide operation to regulate, control, and manage civilian firearm holders, ensuring that those licensed to possess weapons strictly adhere to the relevant laws.

Kindiki announced a breakthrough in this endeavour occurred on Wednesday when law enforcement allegedly arrested a prime suspect caught red-handed while preparing to distribute a vast number of crude weapons.

These weapons the CS said were intended to facilitate criminals in inflicting violence on the public during the last three days of the recent wave of violent protests.

"On 19th July 2023, a prime suspect was arrested while preparing to distribute a large number of crude weapons to facilitate criminals to inflict violence on the public during the last three days of violent protests," Kindiki said.

According to the statement, the suspect was found in possession of a concerning cache of weapons, including 14 machetes, 24 swords, 46 rungus, and over 300 sachets of assorted narcotic drugs, including cannabis sativa and cocaine. Further incriminating evidence was also seized, including documents detailing the distribution of Sh42M across 11 Counties in Nairobi, Central, and Rift Valley regions.

As the situation demands immediate attention, law enforcement agencies affirmed their efforts to eradicate the presence of illegal weapons and dismantle the networks responsible for supplying them.

This Friday afternoon, an operation was executed locked on three homesteads in the Karen area, where a total of 23 firearms, suspected to have been used in illegal activities, were believed to be concealed.

"This operation is part of our broader efforts to target scores of firearm holders reasonably suspected of providing weapons not only for the purpose of supporting violent protests but also for other illegal activities," CS Kindiki asserted.

The government reiterates that it has the authority, under the Firearms Act (CAP 114) of the Laws of Kenya, to inspect premises where firearms are stored and to request civilian firearm holders to produce their weapons for inspection and ballistic examination when there is reasonable suspicion of illegal use or possession.

CS Kindiki emphasized, "Our operation will continue to cover civilian firearm holders in Nairobi and other parts of the country, who may be misusing their weapons, posing a threat to our national security."

Kindiki maintained that the operation is solely focused on security and will not be deterred by any attempts at politicization or sensationalization.