Missing civilian firearm found dumped at fence of hotel in Nyeri

A firearm that had been reported stolen from a hotel in Nyeri County was found dumped at the fence almost a week after the incident.

Police said the CANIK with one magazine loaded with 18 rounds had been issued to one Michael Kibii Mbugua, a licenced firearm holder certificate and the owner of Almond Acres Hotel.

It was earlier reported stolen on March 8, 2026. Police said a worker at the facility found it dumped at the main gate while on his way to dispose of compound refuse.

The weapon was taken for analysis.

Police said the burglary occurred during the night of March 7–8 at a house located within the Alumond Acres Hotel compound in Githima Location.

The suspects allegedly broke into the residence and stole several items including a 65-inch Conquer television set, an Apple laptop, five VHF communication radios, and keys to a safe where the owner normally stores firearms and other valuables.

Investigators established the owner of the firearm had left the hotel on February 28 for Nairobi before travelling to Cape Town in South Africa, where his family resides.

Before leaving, he reportedly secured his residence and stored a CANIK pistol in a safe located in the bedroom wardrobe.

The firearm was kept together with 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition and an empty magazine among personal documents.

The man who is a licensed firearm holder, later returned to Kenya on March 3 but remained in Nairobi.

However, police observations at the scene have raised questions about the reported break-in. Investigators noted that the bathroom window believed to have been used for entry appeared to have been cut from the inside, suggesting it may have been used as an exit rather than a point of entry.

The safe that contained the firearm had also been removed from its fixed position and broken into, but investigators found nothing inside, indicating that the pistol may have been taken along with the other items.

There are about 15,000 licensed gun holders in the country. They go through a rigorous process before they get permits to own the weapons.