Detectives from the Operations Support Unit arrested four police officers suspected of being behind an illegal arms and ammunition trade that has contributed to insecurity and violence in various parts of the country.
The four officers Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Ekidor Lotira Charles (based in Turkana), Corporal Isaac Kipngetich (attached to 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 based in Industrial Area) have been under investigation for some time due to their suspected involvement in the illegal trade of firearms and ammunition.
Kipngetich was the first to be arrested before the rest were nabbed later on. This was after he was found with 1,000 live bullets in his car while he was on leave.
Their arrest follows days of detailed profiling, surveillance, and forensic investigations by the OSU team.
The breakthrough came when Cpl 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.
Acting on additional intelligence, detectives later arrested Constable Mutongu, who was found in possession of 19 assorted firearm magazines, firing pins, cleaning kits, and three spent 9mm cartridges.
Constable Ileli was also arrested while in possession of a Remington Rand Model 1911 pistol and two Ceska pistol firing pins.
All four suspects have been processed for arraignment on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The National Police Service has vowed to pursue anyone who betrays public trust by fueling violence through the illegal arms trade.
A court ordered that Kipngetich remains in custody until Monday, September 29, 2025 to allow him time to secure legal representation.
He was presented in court.
Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo ruled that Corporal Isaac Kipngetich could not be denied his right to counsel.
He directed that the officer be held at Capitol Hill Police Station before the matter is mentioned before Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ikhubi.
“The suspect has requested his counsel to represent him. That is one of the rights that this court cannot take away,” said Onsarigo
“I will allow the respondent’s application to have his lawyer represent him. He will be detained at capital hill police station until Monday 27th of September and the matter will be handled by senior principal magistrate Benmark Ikhubi.”
According to an application filed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Operations Support Unit, Kipngetich was arrested on September 25 at the Kenyatta Avenue roundabout along Uhuru Highway while driving a Toyota Passo.
They said they recovered a sealed carton hidden in a black backpack containing 1,007 rounds of 5.56mm caliber ammunition.
Investigating officer Corporal Hillary Kimuyu told the court that Kipngetich, who was on annual leave between September 23 and November 11, 2025, had no authority to be in possession of the ammunition.
Police believe the bullets were destined for use in crimes including banditry, murder, and livestock raids in Turkana and neighbouring counties.
The DCI argued that the officer is part of a wider syndicate supplying illegal arms to conflict-prone regions and sought custodial orders to detain him for 14 days to complete investigations.
“The suppliers and buyers of the ammunitions are still at large and there is need to hold the suspects conduct further investigations and make more arrest,” read the court documents.
The investigators said they need time to subject the ammunition to ballistic tests, conduct forensic analysis on the suspect’s phone, record statements from witnesses, and pursue others.
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