A 14-year-old British-Kenyan boy linked to a fatal shooting incident at their ranch in Laikipia West Sub-County was released on bail after being arraigned in court.
The suspect, identified as Lance Tomlinson, a Kenyan of British origin, was presented at Rumuruti Police Station on April 24, 2026, by his father, Ivans Tomlinson, accompanied by his legal counsel.
The father informed authorities that the minor suffers from asthma and provided medical documents to support the claim.
Police arrested and booked the teenager on a charge of murder, contrary to Sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code.
He was subsequently arraigned at the Rumuruti Law Courts under a miscellaneous criminal application for directions, given that he is a minor.
The court granted him a surety bond of Sh1.5 million with one surety of a similar amount, or an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000.
The court also ordered the suspect and his father to deposit their passports to restrict travel.
The suspect managed to raise the cash bail and was released.
The case is scheduled for mention on May 5, 2026, to confirm the progress of investigations, which are currently being handled by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Laikipia West.
Detectives in Laikipia West Sub-County questioned the father after his minor son shot and killed a boy at his ranch.
The son used his firearm in the tragedy.
According to police at Rumuruti Police Station, Ivan Tomlinson, a 60-year-old British-Kenyan dual national and licensed civilian firearm holder, presented himself to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Laikipia West on Thursday . accompanied by his advocate.
Investigators say Tomlinson, who is the father of the suspect claimed ownership of the firearm linked to the incident.
He was interrogated and recorded a statement as part of ongoing inquiries.
Police processed him for court appearance and released him on a cash bail of Sh100,000, pending plea taking for the offence of allegedly allowing a minor access to a firearm, contrary to the Firearms Act.
Authorities say efforts to trace the juvenile suspect are at an advanced stage as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continue.
The victim was fatally shot by the son of the ranch owner, police said. According to the police, the incident was reported on April 22, 2026.
The victim is said to have been shot dead the previous night at Ol Donyo Leboro Ranch in unclear circumstances, police said. Police visited the scene and established that the minor was allegedly shot by another juvenile and son of the ranch owner. Preliminary findings indicate that the bullet entered through the right rear shoulder and exited through the upper right side of the chest.
Crime scene investigators processed the area and recovered a suspected firearm—a Mark Four CZ 527 rifle—along with one round of ammunition and two spent cartridges. The body of the deceased was moved to Rumuruti Funeral Home, where it awaits a postmortem examination. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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