UN fact-finding mission probes small arms proliferation in Kenya

A United Nations fact-finding mission has begun work in Kenya to determine the scale of the proliferation of small arms in that country, a UN spokesman said today in New York.

The mission is an initial effort to respond to a request from the Government of Kenya for UN assistance in dealing with the scourge of small arms.

The team, which arrived in Nairobi yesterday and will be there through Friday, is led by João Honwana, Chief of the UN Conventional Arms Branch. The group, which includes staff from the UN Department of Political Affairs and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), will meet with governmental and non-governmental officials, as well as representatives of other countries in the region and the local diplomatic community.