Thika Town, Kiambu County – July 21, 2025 : Police have arrested six suspects in connection with the Thika undercover officer shooting of Constable Bernard Koome. The breakthrough followed a forensic analysis of a mobile phone recovered at the scene.
Koome, a member of the elite SPIV (Special Patrol Investigation Unit), was fatally shot on June 18 in Kiandutu, near the Thika–Garissa Road interchange. The case shocked the local community and triggered a full-scale manhunt by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
How the Shooting Unfolded
While on covert patrol in Cravers, Koome and his colleagues intercepted a motorcycle with a concealed number plate. The rider initially pretended to comply but suddenly drew a gun and shot Koome in the neck before hijacking another boda boda, firing shots into the air as he escaped. Witnesses rushed Koome to hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
Mobile Phone Leads to Arrests
A mobile phone left at the scene turned out to be a critical lead. Detectives from DCI Kenya traced its activity to multiple suspects.
“The mobile phone was our breakthrough. It helped us identify individuals connected to the murder,” said a senior investigator.
Law enforcement apprehended a licensed firearm holder among those taken into custody. Raids were conducted in Kahawa West, Ruiru, and surrounding areas, tracing others to those locations.
Officers recovered
- Two spent 9mm cartridges
- A Czeska pistol magazine loaded with seven rounds
- Koome’s pistol, which was briefly used in pursuit
Detectives have documented these items as part of the National Police Service investigation.
Who Was Constable Bernard Koome?
Koome served in SPIV Thika, a unit targeting violent crime and gang activity in Nairobi’s satellite towns. His death is part of a rising trend of attacks on law enforcement in areas such as Thika, Githurai, and parts of Eastern Nairobi.
What’s Next: More Arrests Expected
The National Police Service has vowed to track down every individual involved. Police believe they will arrest more suspects in connection with this killing.
“We will bring everyone involved to justice,” said the Kiambu County Police Commander.
Crime Trends in Satellite Towns
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2024 Crime Report, urban fringes like Thika have seen a rise in gun-related robberies, often tied to youth gangs and unlicensed firearms. Police say they are expanding operations and using tech tools like mobile phone forensics to crack such cases.
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