Drama erupted at Karen Police Station in Nairobi on Thursday, August 1 when a gun dealer managed to flee custody shortly after his arrest for operating without a valid firearm permit.

The incident began when police apprehended the suspect at a local restaurant, following a tip-off regarding his illicit activities.

Upon searching his vehicle, officers uncovered an alarming assortment of weapons, including a Sig Sauer pistol, two Canik pistols, and a significant cache of ammunition.

The drama intensified when police conducted a follow-up search at the suspect’s residence in Southlands Estate, where they discovered a shotgun along with 210 rounds of ammunition.

Although the suspect presented a civilian firearm certificate, it was quickly revealed that it had expired back in February 2023. This discovery led the authorities to make the decision to formally detain him as they prepared to process his arrest.

But as the officers escorted the suspect to the holding cells, he made an unusual request to retrieve a heavy sweater from his car, claiming he was feeling unwell. Unbeknownst to the officers, this would be a pivotal moment in the unfolding drama. Without being handcuffed, the suspect was allowed to approach his vehicle, which was parked just a short distance away from the police station.

The suspect locked himself inside the car and, despite the frantic shouts from the officers urging him to exit, he accelerated away from the scene.

The station guard, realizing the gravity of the situation, rushed to close the gate, but the suspect drove through it at high speed, injuring a police constable stationed in the process.

The chaotic escape unfolded without any shots being fired, but the tension was palpable as officers scrambled to respond.

Following the incident, police quickly circulated details of the suspect’s vehicle in an effort to track him down. A manhunt is currently underway, as authorities remain vigilant in their search for the gun dealer, who had been operating with an expired permit.