Effective SALW control in Kenya: community-driven approaches

Linking local initiatives to national processes

In many communities in Kenya where Saferworld and partners have been working, a significant security concern is the prevalence of small arms and light weapons (SALW). With an estimated 530,000 to 680,000 small arms and light weapons in civilian hands, the increased availability of small arms in recent years has resulted in endemic cycles of violence and hundreds of injuries and deaths.

This briefing argues that interventions to tackle the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons in Kenya have not adequately addressed the problem at the local level. Despite some strong international policy commitments to responsible arms control, such as the Arms Trade Treaty, such assurances have not yet had a direct impact on people’s safety and security.

The briefing explains how Saferworld’s community-driven approach to SALW control provides a constructive template for enhancing security for local communities. Citing examples from our work with police in Isiolo and West Pokot, the briefing demonstrates that improving the effectiveness and accountability of local security services is crucial to overcoming challenges related to SALW misuse and proliferation.

To address the issue of illicit SALW contributing to people’s insecurity, the briefing recommends that:

• A community-oriented approach is adopted in order to ensure local security needs, concerns, and dynamics inform both local and national SALW management processes.
• The National Police Service should prioritise and promote the development and operationalisation of effective arms-monitoring systems in local police stations to improve arms accountability.
• Security agencies should enhance their coordination and harmonisation efforts at the local and national levels to maximise the impact.
• State and non-state security actors should continue to enhance and support the inclusion of women, youth, and other marginalised groups in the planning and implementation of SALW control initiatives.

Click here to download Effective SALW control in Kenya.

“Saferworld’s approach of community-driven SALW control provides a constructive template for enhancing security for local communities.”

James Ndung'u