Panic has gripped private firearms holders in Mombasa after the government begun the vetting exercise for civilian firearms in the county which has since seen some arms being confiscated.

The exercise which is being carried out at the Mombasa County Commissioner's officer begun on Monday and is expected to end on Thursday next week (May 30th).

The exercise is led by the Chairman of the firearms licensing board Charles Mukindia.

According to a source privy to the exercise, some holders have already appeared the board including a former  regional police boss.

"They have been showing up even a former regional police boss from Coast was here yesterday" said the source

"There was a very interesting case yesterday, an Asian business man who appeared before the panel fainted after his firearm was confiscated, he was told to reapply for the license" he added

The government through the ministry of interior and co-ordination led by Fred Matiang'i ordered all private firearm holders to voluntarily appear for vetting. The exercise begun on March 11th in Kiambu.

According to the government there has been an increase in cases of violence and crime caused by firearms being owned by civilians.

The Government through the firearm licensing board has also developed a new microchip card, which will have all the details of a firearm holder.. 

The Interior CS said every civilian who owns a gun must produce the card on demand when asked to do so by the police