Kenyans have taken to Twitter to condemn the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led government’s move to launch a four billion Kenya shillings ($37m; £27m) small arms factory near the capital Nairobi.

Kenyatta had, on Thursday, presided over the opening of the factory, which is expected to produce 12,000 assault rifles annually with 60% of components being locally manufactured, in Ruiru area.

He said the factory was part of the government’s manufacturing blueprint – saying it would “enhance self-reliance, domestic innovation, and strengthening of local manufacturing capabilities while offering decent jobs for [the] youth”.

The news of Kenya’s gun factory has triggered criticism from some Kenyans who felt it is wrong for the government to prioritise guns over oxygen cylinders, which are almost exhausted in the country, grain storage facilities, and drugs for HIV patients.

However, some Kenyans think that the move is a step to self-dependence against foreign gun and ammunition manufacturers and suppliers.

Reacting to the development, @DavidNdi said “…as Uhuru Kenyatta opens gun factory. Did you know Kenya loses up to a third of food production to post-harvest losses? How many agro-processing factories, cold storage facilities or grain silos has Uhuru Kenyatta opened during his 8 years in office?”

A clapback from @Kevin_njule suggested that “What @DavidNdii wants Uhuru to do is to go around launching silos in every village. Running a country goes beyond just food security. An invaded nation that can’t defend itself won’t be happy even if its silos were full of food.

“Why can’t we manufacture ARV medicines instead of guns? Is it more important for us to kill than to save lives?” Mogada asked on Twitter.

@Jamleckgita thinks that Kenya spends “a lot to buy these guns” adding that the development is “just growth to me, one step at a time and different priorities according to person’s involved.”

“Our food production does not meet our needs. But we open a weapons factory yet we are not at war. Are we intending to export weapons? Weapons need a war, extreme crime or heavy private ownership of guns as in the US. All the above don’t apply to Kenya. Only option left is export,” Jo said.

But @1_victormuteronl is of the belief that “We needed a gun manufacturing factory in Kenya. Ruiru is just a start. Investing in military tech will reduce over-dependency on foreign nation.

“UN has had arm embargo on Iran, America has halted arm selling to Zimbabwe and Armenia. On a worst-case scenario, Kenya is safe!”

Andrew J Franklin said: “GOK needs to enroll Kenya’s motor vehicle assembly plants in a concerted effort to produce appropriately modified vehicles for combat operations against Shabaab insurgents and to use on patrol against heavily armed cattle rustlers elsewhere in northern Kenya. Buy Kenya…”

However, @Isaacbwile who had an opposing opinion said, “Well, but how much does kenya spend on weaponry annually? If that can be made locally what’s the big deal. Should we keep on importing guns and small arms yet we can source them locally? Lets a have balance in our reasoning.”

Another user identified as Edwin Otieno said, “Uhuru is establishing a guns factory at a time the country is in a cute shortage of ICU facilities to fight a deadly pandemic? How cruel can they be? With whom are they planning to go to war? Kenya does not need guns, it needs industrialisation and revival of the services sector.”

Meanwhile, @GichuhiArthur wrote, “Kenya opening up an arms factory in Ruiru is a step in becoming self reliant. The worlds largest suppliers have control freak tendencies,and may fail 2 supply with weapons 2 defend your people,if you dont agree with them, then go give those guns 2 militia 2 initiate regime change.”