Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has stated that no shop in Kenya legally sells teargas to the public, sparking fresh discussions about how civilians sometimes access such devices during protests and political events.
Owino raised concerns about several recent incidents where teargas was reportedly deployed at public gatherings that were not officially linked to police operations.
These events have raised questions about how crowd-control equipment, which is strictly meant for trained and authorized officers, ends up in civilian hands.
Legal Framework
Under Kenyan law, security equipment—including firearms, ammunition, and crowd-control devices like teargas—can only be handled by trained and authorized personnel.
Any unauthorized possession, sale, or use of such equipment is illegal and can result in severe penalties.
Owino’s remarks have put pressure on security agencies to clarify how teargas sometimes appears outside official channels, especially as public political gatherings continue to increase ahead of upcoming elections.
Calls for Accountability
Human rights groups have also weighed in, expressing concern over frequent teargas use in demonstrations.
They emphasize that while police have a duty to maintain law and order, the force used must be proportionate, lawful, and respectful of citizens’ constitutional rights.
Some leaders have called for full investigations to ensure all crowd-control equipment is properly accounted for and not misused.
Transparency and accountability are seen as critical to maintaining public trust and safety.
As Kenya gears up for more political rallies and demonstrations, the issue of teargas access and use remains a pressing matter for security agencies and civil society alike.
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Politics