Suspect arrested hours after stealing police rifle in Kitale Town
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Trans Nzoia County after police recovered a stolen firearm and ammunition following a tip-off from members of the public.
Police said officers from Sibanga Police Station in Trans Nzoia East Sub-county recovered a Styer rifle loaded with 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition from the suspect identified as Brian Kibet.
According to the police, the firearm was stolen from Kitale Police Station on May 20, 2026.
The suspect was taken into custody as investigations into the theft and possible links to other criminal activities continue.
This happened almost 12 hours after the incident.
Police said had launched investigations and a manhunt after the conman tricked officers at Kitale Police Station and escaped with the loaded police firearm.
According to the police, the incident occurred on the night of May 20, 2025, at around 9.30pm at Kitale Police Station.
The suspect, described as an unknown man dressed in a police raincoat, reportedly arrived at the station’s main gate and introduced himself as a newly posted officer from Eldoret Police Station.
Kibet allegedly approached three officers manning the gate, among them a corporal who was the officer in charge at the time.
The man reportedly told the officers he was looking for accommodation within the police lines. After a brief interaction, he asked one of the officers to direct him to a nearby hotel where he could buy food.
As they walked towards the hotel, the suspect allegedly requested the officer to help carry his Styer rifle loaded with 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Police said that immediately after the officer took possession of the firearm, the suspect boarded a waiting motorcycle and sped off towards Kitale town, disappearing with the weapon.
The officer did not immediately raise an alarm or inform his superior after the incident, only making contact later after efforts to trace the suspect had failed.
Following the incident, local officers activated a team of officers to search for the firearm and pursue the suspect.
Three officers who were on duty at the station gate during the incident were subsequently placed in custody pending investigations.
The incident raised concerns over security procedures at police stations and the handling of firearms by officers on duty. public.