Nairobi — There are more than 120,000 illegal firearms in Northern Rift Valley, the Security Research and Information Centre (SRIC) revealed yesterday.

The centre said 50 per cent of men of above 15, among the pastoralist communities in the region, are presumed to be armed.

Research material availed to news reporters showed Turkana alone has 66,239 illegal guns, Samburu tribesmen have 16,478, while in West Pokot 36,937 guns are in the wrong hands.

In East Baringo, there are 7,773 illegal guns, while Marakwets have 92. Lt Col Jan Kamenju of SRIC said the research was conducted two years ago and the data was received from volunteers.

Kamenju, who was accompanied by acting Chief Firearms Licensing Officer, Mr Peter Ingolo, said the security situation in the five areas is out of hand.

Most of the guns in wrong hands, Kamenju said, were being used for protection, while the rest are owned by cattle rustlers.

In the course of the research in the North Rift, the officers were told most, if not all, of the male population aged 15 years and above are armed.

Kamenju said the Kenyan Action on Small Arms (Kansa), a network of over 35 local Non Governmental Organisations currently co-ordinated by SRIC, will hold activities from June 1 to raise awareness on the proliferation of arms.

He said research on the number of guns in Nairobi and other areas is going on. However, a 2000 report from the centre indicates some 1,312 guns are in the hands of thugs.