Four rifles and ammunition stored in the Griftu Police Station armory in Wajir County went missing on Wednesday, July 6.
According to the police occurrence book (OB) records seen by our sources, there was no evidence of a break-in. This leads the police to suspect that it was an inside job.
Following the incident, the Officer in Charge of the station (OCS), and the armorer were arrested. The County Criminal Investigation Officer (CCIO) has now launched an investigation into the puzzle.
Initial reports suggested that the high-caliber rifles were still at the police station, prompting detectives to conduct a thorough search. However, upon further scrutiny, it was discovered that the rifles and ammunition were indeed missing from the armory.
The missing rifles were identified as a G3 rifle with serial number G3 F89936, and three AK-47 rifles with serial numbers Kp 5501679, 5503607, and 5522034. Additionally, 90 rounds of 7.62mm×39special ammunition and 20 rounds of 7.62mm×51 ammunition were reported missing.
The armory was locked and had two keys. One key was held by the Officer in Charge and the other by the armorer. This makes the two officers, the primary suspects in the robbery.
The guns have gone missing at a time when security officers in north-eastern Kenya are increasingly being targeted by armed militant groups.
This is not the first time the Kenyan police have lost weapons in unclear circumstances. In 2019, three G-3 rifles and a magazine with 20 rounds of ammunition were stolen from a police post in Nandi County. This is after the officers manning the post left it unmanned to watch UEFA Champions League matches at a nearby shopping center.
In November 2022, unknown thugs also broke into Kipasi Police Post in Homa Bay County. The thugs broke in through a window and stole five guns and 110 bullets. Three police officers were later interdicted on suspicion of being involved in the burglary.
