IG Joseph Boinnet orders those operating armoured vehicles to report to police and KRA immediately

Kenya: Kenyans driving armoured vehicles have been ordered to report to police and the taxman for further action.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet also ordered those planning to import such vehicles to adhere to the law.

He said the Security Laws Amendment Act 20014 prohibits the assembly, purchase and acquisition or possession of armoured vehicles unless one has a certificate issued under the law.

"Any person who manufactures, assembles, purchases, acquires or has in his possession an armoured vehicle without approval shall subject to this Act be guilty of an offence," said Boinnet in an advert placed in local dailies Wednesday.

He said the Firearms Act had been repealed with new rules for possession of such vehicles.

Under the new Act, a Firearms Licensing Board Under the new Act, a Firearms Licensing Board shall be established and members appointed by Interior Cabinet Secretary.

The board shall consist of representatives from the National Police and Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Attorney General and members of groups of registered gun owners, Kenya Wild Life Service, National Intelligence Service and National Focal Point.

The board shall certify suitability of applicants and periodically assess proficiency of firearms holders, issue, cancel, terminate or vary any licence or permit issued under this Act, register civilians firearm holders, dealers and manufactures of firearms under the Act and register, supervise, and control all shooting ranges that are registered.

The board shall also maintain and monitor a centralized record management system and perform such other functions as the Cabinet Secretary may prescribe from time to time.

Under the KRA rules, armoured fighting vehicles are prohibited.