A family has surrendered to the government an illegal firearm in Athi River, Machakos County.
Athi River deputy county commissioner David Juma said the family surrendered the firearm to Athi River North assistant chief Nickson Parmisa who in turn handed it over to him.
Juma addressed the press few minutes after he had received the rifle at his office on Tuesday.
He said the family claimed that the man has a mental problem hence not in a position to use it.
Juma added that the family's kin can't prove its ownership either.
''The family surrendered the firearm, a rifle Gecado model 50.177 caliber to the chief claiming the owner is mentally ill. The firearm's documents are also not available,'' Juma said.
He commended the family for the action they took and called for others with illegal firearms to surrender them voluntarily.
However, Juma declined to disclose the culprit's identity stating it was a sensitive matter.
He said those who will submit the firearms will be pardoned and not victimized.
Juma said the government will conduct a crackdown on illicit firearms in Athi River Sub-county and its environs.
''They should take advantage of the window period and surrender the illegal firearms to the nearest police station or my office because when it's over, anyone found with one will be treated as a criminal. He/she will be arrested and arraigned in court,'' Juma said.
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