Uhuru’s Son Sues The Govt

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s son, Jomo Kenyatta, has sued the government days after an attempted raid at his home in search of guns.

Jomo filed a suit at the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, July 26, challenging the State’s decision to revoke his gun license.

In his defence, Jomo argued that the entire exercise did not follow the procedure laid down by the law.

The petitioner also demanded that the court compel the Firearms Licensing Board and the Attorney General to refrain from demanding his license until they follow the appropriate procedure.

Firearms Act

According to the Firearms Act, a certificate may be revoked only by a licensing officer if the law prohibits the holder from possessing a firearm, is of intemperate habits or unsound mind, or is unfit to be entrusted with a weapon.

Another ground for revocation is if the holder fails to comply with a notice requiring them to deliver the firearm certificate.

“In any case where a licensing officer revokes a firearm certificate, he shall by notice in writing require the holder to surrender the firearm certificate, and if the holder fails to do so within fourteen days from the date of the notice he shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand shillings.

“Provided that, where an appeal is brought against the revocation, this subsection shall not apply to that revocation unless the appeal is abandoned or dismissed, and shall, in that case, have effect as if for the reference to the date of the notice there were substituted a reference to the date on which the appeal was abandoned or dismissed,” reads Section 5 (8) of the Act.

In court filings, Jomo indicated his license is valid until Saturday, April 27, 2024. Police raided his house, in Karen, on Friday, July 21, in search of 28 weapons it claimed had been obtained illegally after the ruling regime accused the former President of financing the anti-government protests led by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, confirmed the raid, adding that the police wanted to conduct a ballistic examination on the guns.

In a subsequent interview with media editors, Uhuru denied funding the opposition protests and clarified that his two sons, Jomo and Muhoho, only possessed six guns as opposed to over 20, as claimed by the State.

“I went (to my son’s home) because of a distress call from my son. I was extremely hurt. If I am the problem, just come for me. My silence doesn’t imply fear. Come directly for me. Why involve my mother or my son in whatever is happening? Is it a crime for me to associate with Raila?” Uhuru wondered at the time.