Kenyan authorities are seeking to detain five police officers for 14 days as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal firearms possession and trafficking. The officers, arrested on September 26, 2025, were found with a significant cache of weapons and ammunition suspected to be linked to cross-border trafficking activities.
The arrested officers — Charles Lotira Ekidor, Ileli Cyrus Kisamwa, Samson Muriithi Mutongu, Wesley Sang, and Paul Kipketer Tonui — were apprehended during a sting operation conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Operations Support Unit in Eldoret and Nairobi. They were presented before the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court, where the prosecution sought the 14-day detention order to allow for further investigation.
According to the affidavit filed by Corporal Hillary Kimuyu, the officers were in possession of a Remington Rand pistol, model No. 1911, serial No. 1364434, along with nineteen assorted magazines and multiple rounds of ammunition. These items are believed to be part of a larger illegal firearms trafficking operation, potentially linked to the black market at the Kenya-South Sudan border. Preliminary investigations have indicated that some of the officers may have been involved in the sale of ammunition in the Lokichogio market, a known hub for illicit trade.
The prosecution has opposed any form of bail for the accused officers, citing concerns that their release could lead to witness interference, evidence tampering, or obstruction of the investigation. Further claims suggest that two of the suspects were involved in transporting ammunition from the central stores in Nairobi, while another officer is believed to have been responsible for its delivery to Lodwar. One of the suspects is also said to have been the custodian of the keys to an official armoury where the seized ammunition was stored.
The magistrate overseeing the case is expected to rule on the application for detention after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to identify and apprehend any additional individuals involved in the illegal firearms trade.
