The prosecution on Monday asked a Milimani court to grant detectives 14 days to detain six respondents, five of them serving officers, as investigations into alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition continue.
State counsel told the court the case, initially filed in Court 5, had been transferred to Court 1. Investigating officer Hillary Kimuyu said the arrest of four suspects had given the probe a step forward and inventories of recovered items had already been filed.
The suspects face allegations of being in possession of ammunition contrary to section 4A(1)(a) of the Firearms Act, possession of firearms without valid certificates, and conspiracy to commit a felony under the Penal Code. Police said some recoveries were made from the homes of the second and third respondents.
Prosecutors argued that releasing the suspects would jeopardise the case, warning they could interfere with exhibits stored in armouries, destroy evidence, or frustrate efforts to trace accomplices. The court also heard that the sixth respondent may be a flight risk because of links to Lokichogio on the Kenya–Sudan border.
“If released, the respondents may interfere with exhibits stored in armouries, destroy evidence, or frustrate ongoing efforts to trace accomplices.” State counsel said.
Investigators said ballistics reports on recovered firearms and magazines were still pending. They added that the suspects’ mobile phones had not been forensically examined and additional arrests in Turkana and Nairobi were yet to be made.
Lawyer Ekhusi, for the first and sixth respondents, opposed the request, noting they had already spent three days in custody since Friday. He said the prosecution had failed to show how they could interfere with investigations or influence forensic and ballistic experts.
“Our clients have already been in custody since Friday. The state has not shown how they could interfere with forensic experts or tamper with ballistic evidence.” – Lawyer Ekhusi
Danstan Omari, representing the fourth respondent, said his client, a chief inspector of police, was unfairly targeted. He told the court the officer’s role was limited to repairing defective firearms and that he never handled live weapons. Omari added that KSh 550,000 seized from his client’s home was meant for his child’s university fees.
Advocate Shadrack Wamboi argued the officer’s fragile health should be considered, saying he has suffered chest problems since contracting Covid-19 in 2021 and requires regular medical supervision. Lawyer Cliff Ombeta said the state had failed to prove flight risk, noting that the officer had a fixed abode, and such claims must be backed by evidence.
“This officer’s fragile health must be considered. Since contracting Covid-19 in 2021, he has suffered persistent chest problems and requires medical supervision.” advocate Shadrack Wamboi stayed
The defence team jointly argued that the application violated Articles 24, 45, 49 and 50 of the Constitution and urged the court to grant bail or bond instead. They also asked to be granted access to their clients at Capitol Hill Police Station.
The prosecution maintained that national security interests outweighed individual concerns and pressed for the 14-day custodial order. The court will deliver its ruling on the application tomorrow at 3:15 pm.
On September 25, 2025, detectives arrested Cpl Isaac Kipngetich, an armourer attached to the Turkana County Police Headquarters, after he was intercepted at Kenyatta Avenue Roundabout in Nairobi.
A search of his Toyota Passo uncovered 1,007 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition concealed inside a carton packed in a black backpack. He was arraigned the following day at the Milimani Law Courts where prosecutors revealed he was on annual leave and therefore had no authority to handle state-owned ammunition.
Investigators alleged that the consignment was destined for criminal networks behind banditry and violent raids in the North Rift.
