A Kibera court has approved an application to detain two police officers for five days while further investigations are conducted into allegations of their involvement in selling firearms and ammunition to the public in Laikipia County.
Senior Principal Samson Temu, presiding over the Kibera court, announced that Officers Joel Githaiga and Martin Murimi will remain in custody at Muthaiga and Kilimani stations until April 25, as requested by the prosecution, which cited the need for additional time to conclude their investigation.
The officers are under scrutiny in a case involving possession of firearms and ammunition, which is against the law. According to an affidavit submitted by Investigating Officer Nicholas Njoroge from the DCI Headquarters, the two were apprehended on April 19 in Nyahururu town, Laikipia County, on suspicion of possessing firearms and ammunition.
Njoroge’s affidavit revealed that preliminary investigations suggested the officers had been unlawfully selling ammunition to members of the public in Laikipia County and neighboring areas for potential criminal activities. The duo, who are serving officers attached to ASTU C Company, were brought to the DCI headquarters for questioning after their arrest.
“The suspects were arrested, escorted to DCI headquarters and upon interrogation, it was preliminarily established that they have been selling ammunition to members of the public within Laikipia county and its adjacent areas to commit criminal activities,” read the affidavit.
The investigating officer further emphasized that the ammunition sold by the suspects is believed to have been used in various criminal activities, including banditry, resulting in loss of innocent lives, displacement of people, and theft of livestock in Laikipia County and neighboring regions.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that other suppliers and buyers involved in the illicit trade of ammunition are still at large. Therefore, there is a pressing need to keep the suspects in custody to facilitate further investigations and subsequent arrests.
This decision underscores the gravity of the allegations against the accused officers and highlights the determination of law enforcement authorities to ensure justice prevails in cases of illegal firearms and ammunition trade, particularly in areas where such activities pose a threat to public safety and security.
