Three police officers attached to Kitale Police Station in Trans Nzoia County have been detained after a loaded rifle reportedly went missing in a bizarre incident involving a man posing as a newly transferred officer.
According to police reports, the suspect arrived at the station on Tuesday night dressed in police gear and introduced himself as an officer allegedly transferred from Eldoret Police Station. Officers on duty reportedly engaged him in conversation after he claimed he was looking for accommodation within the police lines.
The man later requested to be directed to a nearby place where he could buy food. One of the officers, identified as PC Ishmael Kimutai, volunteered to escort him to nearby shops outside the station. During the walk, the suspect allegedly asked the officer to help him carry a Stryer rifle loaded with 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Police say the suspect then jumped onto a waiting motorcycle and sped off toward Kitale town with the firearm before officers could react. The incident triggered an immediate security operation as senior officers launched efforts to recover the missing weapon and trace the suspect.
The three officers who were manning the station gate at the time of the incident were later placed in custody pending investigations into possible negligence and breach of security procedures.
The rifle was later recovered with the help of members of the public and the suspect arrested.
