One of the illegal firearms caught with officers accused of running an illegal firearms and ammunition racket. Photo DCI 
By Andrew Mbuva
Detectives from the Operations Support Unit (OSU) have arrested four law enforcement officers accused of running an illegal firearms and ammunition racket that has fueled insecurity and violence across the country.
The suspects include 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).
According to investigators, the four had been under close surveillance for weeks over their suspected involvement in the illegal trade. The operation’s breakthrough came when Cpl. Kipngetich was caught red-handed receiving a consignment of 1,000 rounds of ammunition from Constables Ileli and Mutongu, allegedly destined for ASP Ekidor Lotira.
Further raids led to the arrest of 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 apprehended with a Remington Rand Model 1911 pistol and two Ceska pistol firing pins.
All four officers have since been processed and will be arraigned on Monday, September 29, 2025.
In a statement, the National Police Service vowed to take firm action against officers who abuse their positions to undermine public safety. “We shall pursue anyone who betrays public trust by fueling violence through the illegal arms trade,” the Service said.
The arrests mark a major step in dismantling criminal networks that have been supplying illegal weapons to various parts of the country.
