A Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officer and two civilians have been arrested on allegations of stealing a gun from a stranded lincensed firearm holder in Kirinyaga County.

Sergeant William Kabuu Wageni, 54, attached to KDF Kahawa Garrison, his female friend identified as Salome Kimani and 25-year-old Benson Wanjau Wakiai were arrested this weekend at Windridge, Chai Estate in Juja, Kiambu County.

The three were arrested by a joint operations team from DCI Juja and DCI Headquarters, and later escorted to Wang’uru Police Station in Mwea East where the firearm loss had been reported.

What happened?

On the fateful day, November 25, 2023, the male victim driving in his Toyota Prado had reportedly traveled to check his land located in the Kianda area, and along the way got stuck in a murram road for hours.

The DCI reports that members of the public came to his aid, pushing his car out of a slippery ditch by around 8.30pm.

But upon arrival, the 56-year-old realised that his gun ( a mini CZ loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition) which he had secured in his car during the recovery efforts was missing.

“He returned to the scene the same night searching for the firearm until 10pm but could do little to trace anything in the dark and trampled muddy passage from an ongoing downpour,” the DCI says.

Efforts to ask around the neighbourhood the following morning proved futile, until DCI detectives stepped in, exploring all intelligence leads until the recovery of the firearm in Juja, Kiambu County.

Investigations are underway to determine how six rounds of ammunition which were missing from the firearm were expended, as the three suspects join fellow guests of the state for the long holiday.