Four police officers arrested over illegal firearms trade

Detectives from the Operations Support Unit (OSU) of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested four law enforcement officers suspected of running an illegal arms and ammunition racket that has been fueling insecurity and violence in different parts of the country.

The suspects include Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Ekidor Lotira Charles, who is based in Turkana; Corporal Isaac Kipngetich, attached to the Turkana County Police Headquarters; Police Constable Ileli Cyrus Kisamwa, an armorer at the Central Firearms Stores in Industrial Area; and Constable Samson Muriithi Mutongu, a storeman also stationed at the Industrial Area firearms depot.

According to the DCI, the four had been under surveillance for some time as part of a probe into the illegal trade in firearms and ammunition.

“The breakthrough came when Corporal Kipngetich was caught pants down after receiving a consignment of 1,000 rounds of ammunition from Constables Ileli and Mutongu, which was intended for ASP Ekidor Lotira,” said the DCI in a statement on Saturday.

Detectives later arrested Constable Mutongu, who was found with 19 assorted firearm magazines, firing pins, cleaning kits, and three spent 9mm cartridges.

Constable Ileli was also apprehended while in possession of a Remington Rand Model 1911 pistol and two Ceska pistol firing pins.

The four suspects have since been processed and are expected to be arraigned on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The National Police Service (NPS), on its part, reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on rogue officers who betray public trust, vowing to “pursue anyone who fuels violence through the illegal arms trade.”