Issuance of licences to firearm dealers has been suspended following a directive by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
The CS on Wednesday said that the move was necessary in an attempt to nab illegal firearm dealers and holders, an exercise which has been ongoing since last year.
Addressing Regional and County security bosses in a Mombasa meeting, Matiang'i said that the directive would remain in place until a crackdown report was out and assessed by the National Security Council.
"Initially there were 33 dealers but through attempts, we narrowed down to 15. We shall continue in doing away with illegal dealers and owners of firearms," said Matiang'i.
The operation that started last year has so far seen destruction of 8,628 firearms and 370,000 ammunition.
Only those who had undergone vetting would be allowed to own firearms, Matiang'i said.
About 4,000 firearms are reportedly said to have been acquired illegally.
The move according to Matiang'i was aimed at cleaning the system which has allowed criminals to aid applicants to get licensing through system manipulation.
About 70,000 firearms were held by civilians for personal use as at 2018, but only 10,000 of them were registered as at 2019.