Knives, tasers, pepper spray and replica guns: what the law says
Firearms Act / Firearms Licensing Board; Public Order Act / National Police Service · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Tasers, stun guns, pepper spray, air guns and crossbows count as firearms under the Firearms Act, so you need a firearm certificate to own one. A knife, panga or simi can be an offensive weapon: carrying one at a public meeting, or in a street in a gazetted area without a good reason, is an offence.
- Where
- Firearm certificates: Firearms Licensing Board on eCitizen. Questions about carrying weapons: your nearest police station.
Steps
- Tasers and stun guns (weapons that stun with an electric charge) are firearms under the Act.
- Pepper spray and other weapons that spray a noxious liquid or gas are also firearms under the Act.
- Air guns, air rifles, air pistols, crossbows and laser guns are firearms too.
- To buy or own any of these legally, you first need a firearm certificate from the Firearms Licensing Board.
- Leave knives, pangas and other weapons at home when you go to a public meeting or procession: carrying one there is an offence.
Watch out
- A replica or toy gun counts as an 'imitation firearm'. Using one to commit a crime carries 7 to 15 years in jail.
- The Act also lists weapons designed to spray a noxious liquid or gas as 'prohibited weapons', which face tougher rules than ordinary firearms.
- In areas the Minister has gazetted, carrying an offensive weapon (including a panga or simi) in a street or public place without a good reason can mean up to 2 years in jail, a KSh 100,000 fine, or both.
Who this covers
- Everyone in Kenya. Only people with a firearm certificate may own a weapon the law treats as a firearm.
Official sources (2)
- Firearms Act (Cap. 114), version 31 December 2022 new.kenyalaw.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Public Order Act, Chapter 56 (Revised Edition 2018) gsu.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026