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'Loaded' celebs armed with illegal weapons

Features

Guns

One of the people who was in Redsan’s entourage when the artiste was arrested on suspicion of gun possession spoke to Pulse on Thursday last week.

“We are from the police station trying to sort the issue out,” the celebrated producer stated.

So the release was just the start of the saga?

“Yes. We have been up and down the corridors of power since the weekend trying to kill the whole thing. It has cost money and time,” he adds.

Redsan was arrested alongside four other people after their vehicle was intercepted along Uhuru Highway. According to the police, Redsan and his entourage had arrived at the Nairobi International Trade Fair on Friday October 3 for a show but refused to undergo the mandatory search.

“We had to search the group for the safety of people who were there. They refused to be searched and drove off, which raised the suspicion of the police,” said Kilimani OCPD Peter Katam.

Apparently, one of the occupants of the vehicle had a gun. What raised eyebrows was why a decorated and celebrated artiste like Redsan would refuse to undergo a security check if the weapon in the vehicle was licensed.

When the group was arrested, speculation was rife with reports indicating the arrest was due to terrorism suspicions. With the fear of terror at its highest, the story carried some weight. Others speculated that the vehicle contained drugs, hence the reason the occupants were not keen to have it checked.

“That is just speculation. We are not terrorists nor were there drugs in the vehicle. It was just a case of miscommunication,” the producer, who has been badly affected by the ordeal, refutes.

Redsan is also said to have taken time off, only picking phone calls from family or close friends.

According to a popular radio host who sought anonymity due to the weight of the issue, there are quite a few artistes and others in the industry who carry guns illegally.

“The reason Redsan and his entourage refused to be searched is because the gun in the vehicle was not legally acquired or owned. There are rules that one must adhere to before purchasing a licenced gun and I don’t think the occupants meet the threshold,” the radio host at a Swahili station explains. In late 2012, One Centimetre singer Jaguar was said to have been involved in a shootout in Ngara, Nairobi County.

According to a source who thanked the artiste for helping him escape an attempted carjacking, Jaguar’s bodyguards shot at the assailants.

“My girlfriend and I were in real danger. The thugs wanted to rob and kill us until Jaguar showed up. I thank Jaguar for saving our lives. God bless him,” said the source.

The event was confirmed as the windows of the Range Rover that Jaguar had been driving were shattered.

“There are a lot of people in showbiz circles who carry guns. Most of them are promoters and club owners because they have enough money to make them feel insecure. Some revellers and high rollers who just like the night life also have guns. Even some artistes, though not many, carry weapons,” adds the radio host.

“I can even name a number who I’m very sure have guns because I have seen them,” the source insists.

According to Kenyan law, one has to undergo a thorough vetting process before being given clearance to own a gun. Apart from confirming that one is of sound mind, the CID has to give a certificate of good conduct. A candidate has to be vetted before the application is forwarded to the Inspector of Police to approve.

“Unlike Kenya, Tanzania has a lot more artistes who carry weapons. Either their rules are less stringent or they just fear for their lives,” concludes the radio host.

 

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