Kenya is set to be among the first countries in the region to launch its gun marking exercise in line with the requirements of the Nairobi protocol on prevention, control and reduction of small arms.

The exercise planned to kick off on Tuesday, follows the acquisition of an electronic marking machine from the regional center on small arms.

The country has over the years been a victim of crimes resulting from proliferated firearms from neighboring countries.

The gadget with a capacity to mark 1500 guns a day will mark all legitimate guns in the country and store in a database the information on the manufacturing company, serial number, the importing country and the owner to assist in tracing owners whose weapons are used in crime.

New guns imported in the country will henceforth be marked in their country of origin.