Four law enforcement officers from different branches of the Kenyan security apparatus have been arrested in connection with a suspected illegal arms and ammunition trade that investigators believe has been fueling criminal activities across the country. The officers, drawn from the prison service, the National Police Service (NPS) in Turkana County, and the Central Firearms Stores in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, were apprehended during separate sting operations carried out between Friday and Saturday.
The arrested officers include an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons based in Turkana, a Corporal from the Turkana County Police Headquarters, an armorer at the Central Firearms Stores, and a Constable who also works at the firearms store in Nairobi. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the group had been under surveillance for some time, with investigators using detailed profiling, surveillance, and forensic techniques to gather evidence of their involvement in the illegal arms trade.
In one of the operations, an officer was caught in possession of 1,000 rounds of ammunition, allegedly received from two colleagues. These rounds were believed to have been destined for another senior officer, further implicating a wider network of corruption. Following the arrest, investigators seized additional illegal arms components, including 19 assorted firearm magazines, firing pins, cleaning kits, and spent 9mm cartridges. Another officer was arrested while in possession of a Remington Rand Model 1911 pistol and two Ceska pistol firing pins.
The arrested officers are believed to have been diverting government-issued ammunition and firearm parts to criminal networks, contributing to the ongoing insecurity in various regions. Investigators allege that the firearms and ammunition were being sold to these criminal groups for use in illegal activities, thereby posing a threat to public safety.
The four law enforcement officers will be arraigned in court on Monday, 29 September 2025. The National Police Service has issued a stern warning to anyone involved in the illegal arms trade, stating that no one, regardless of their position or rank, will be shielded from prosecution. This development comes a day after a Nairobi court directed that one of the suspects remain in custody until the next court hearing. Authorities are committed to rooting out corruption within the security services, ensuring that those who betray public trust face justice.
