Amnesty International has accused Kenya among other nations of failing in political leadership because the government have yet to sign the global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

The landmark Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was adopted by the United States General Assembly on 2 April 2013 with the intention of regulating the international trade in conventional arms, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

The treaty aims to foster peace and security by thwarting uncontrolled destabilizing arms flows to conflict regions. According to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) the ATT will also help keep warlords, pirates, and gangs from acquiring these deadly tools.

KENYA SUPPORTED THE UN RESOLUTION

Kenya is among 43 other countries who have not signed the treaty. Ironically however, Kenya was among the six nations that drafted the UN resolution in 2006 which served as the basis for the crafting of the treaty. In addition, Kenya was among the 155 nations that voted to adopt the arms treaty.

So far 118 states have signed the treaty but only 31 of these states have gone on to ratify the treaty it which requires 50 ratifications in order to be enforced.

“CIVILIANS KILLED AND MAIMED” – BAN KI-MOON

In a statement released by the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday, during the first anniversary of the adoption of the ATT, states that have not yet signed or ratified the ATT were urged to do so without delay.

“As we mark today’s milestone, the Secretary-General is deeply concerned that civilians continue to be killed or maimed in targeted or indiscriminate attacks with weapons that should not have reached the hands of the perpetrators,” the statement reads.

Why Kenya, one of the originators of the treaty, has yet to sign it, no one seems to know.