This presentation addresses the challenges of armed violence in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya, which has faced security issues due to the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons. Kenya has implemented initiatives to address both the supply and demand of these weapons, including arms collection, destruction, record keeping, and legal/policy reforms. However, external factors like weapons trafficking from conflict areas, terrorism, and regional instability still pose challenges. A comprehensive, integrated approach is needed that combines security and development efforts to address the root causes of armed violence in a sustainable manner.

1. Ending Armed Violence for Peace and Development
By Mr. James I. Ngului, MBS, HSC
Deputy Director,
Kenya National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light
Weapons

2.  This presentation seeks to address the
challenges of armed violence in sub-Saharan
Africa and Kenya in particular. This is a
region that has faced a number of security
challenges as a result of the proliferation of
illicit SALW.
 The main tools of violence in Kenya are Small
Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) such as AK
47, M16, G3, and explosives such as hand
grenades. There is also a number of
homemade and toy guns. The use of crude
weapons is on the rise.

3.  Kenya has implemented a number of initiatives
in a bid to address the proliferation of illicit
SALW in the Country. These measures have
targeted addressing both supply and demand
factors for acquisition. Such approaches
include:
 Direct approaches: - seek to address the
instruments, actors and institutional
environments enabling or preventing armed
violence. Kenya has undertaken the following
initiatives to address this problem

4.  Arms collection
 Arms Destruction
 Record Keeping, Marking and Tracing
 Policy and Legal framework
 Stockpile management
 Research, Mapping and Survey
 Reforms within the law enforcement
agencies
 Peace building interventions such as ADR
(Alternative Dispute Resolution) processes
 Public /Community Education and
Awareness Programmes

5.  Indirect approaches:- seek to address proximate and
structural risk factors giving rise to armed violence
such youth programmes, community education and
policing programmes. Such initiatives include behaviour
change among the youths e.g. reforming the warriors,
neighbourhood watch and community policing initiative.
 Developmental approaches:- seek to address
developmental and infrastructural challenges that that
promote the problem of armed violence. Examples of
these initiatives include: the major projects that the
government has initiated in affected regions in order to
open up some of the far flunk areas. This includes the
LAPSSET (Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia
Transport) project, promoting irrigation, construction
of roads and promoting livelihood support e.g Uwezo
fund (Empowerment fund).

6.  These efforts are not sufficient not unless
other external factors are addressed. Issues
of supply of weapons to war torn countries still
a challenge as these weapons are trafficked
back into a country like Kenya due to their
easily accessibility and availability.
 Terrorism is becoming a challenge in controlling
armed violence. This is a global problem and
requires combined efforts.
 Regional insecurity within the Horn Africa and
the Great Lakes Region. A regional approach to
Armed Violence is very critical.

7.  Lack of proper Border control and security due
to long unsecure borders.
 Lack of a sustained integrated multi-sectoral
approach that can purposefully bridge security
and development efforts to comprehensively
address the risk factors of armed violence.
 Inadequate funding towards effective
implementation Small Arms Control
Programmes.
Key Lessons
 Need for a comprehensive integrated approach
to armed violence that combines both security
and developmental approaches.

8.  Legal and legislative assistance
 Institutional capacity building
 Technological assistance and equipment
 Capacity building and training
 Implementation of the National strategies to
arms control
 Stockpile management
 Border control and security
 Development and livelihood programmes
 Holistic approach to addressing the problem of
terrorism and piracy

9.  Development of framework
 Ensuring sustainability of all efforts to
address this challenge
 Enhancing better monitoring capacity for
arms trafficking
 Comprehensive legal and policy framework
 Enhanced institutional capacity
 Enhanced cooperation and collaboration among
different actors

10. Thank you all