Detectives are currently on the hunt for a gang that targeted and robbed a female police officer of her firearm in Githurai 44’s Kiwanjani area.
In a police report filed at the Kasarani Police Station and seen by The Kenya Times, Constable Mercy Mamboleo and her colleague Emmaculate Ngungi were attacked by three men while discharging their duties in Githurai at around 8.15 pm on Friday, February 16.
According to the report, the suspected gang members seized her Scorpion firearm, which was loaded with 24 bullets, before disappearing into the darkness.
In the daring attack as described in the report, three men approached the policewomen who were on a patrol. One of the gang members, according to the police report, was holding a pistol.
Two of them then went for the officer named Constable Mamboleo while the other held her colleague in what appeared to be a well-crafted move.
“Two of the men sandwiched PC Mercy Mamboleo and grabbed her hands while the other one held PC Emmaculate while shouting “UA” “UA”. One of those holding PC Mercy was armed with a pistol,” the police report read in part.
“They managed to snatch away the firearm from PC/woman Mercy Mamboleo and disappeared to the nearby bushes. PC Emmaculate fired three rounds of ammunition, but they managed to escape.”
Kasarani Officer Robbed of her Gun
According to the police, the officer reported that her Scorpion firearm, loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition, was taken during the altercation.
“The officer was robbed of her Scorpion firearm loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition. Investigations have been launched,” police reported.
Also Read: Suspects On the Run as DCI Recover AK47 Stolen from Uganda Police
The scene of the crime was visited by senior officers, accompanied by detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB).
This latest incident adds to the growing concern over the theft of police firearms, despite ongoing efforts to combat armed gangs across the country.
In a similar case earlier this year, firearms were stolen from Kabonge police station in Kirinyaga county as suspected criminals stole an AK47 and a G3 rifle on February 2, 2024.
Detectives Recover Stolen Firearms
Through diligent investigative work, detectives managed to recover one of the stolen firearms and 18 arms of ammunitions buried near the suspect’s residence.
Also Read: Thieves Steal Four Rifles from Patrol Base in Mbita
Detectives confirmed that two police officers implicated in the theft are currently under investigation.
“Two police officers from whom the AK47 and another G3 rifle were stolen are currently under investigation. Allegedly, the firearms were stolen after the cell sentry and report office attendant stepped out of their areas of deployment, leaving the firearms unattended at the reception area,” DCI shared.
In another case in September 2023, a G3 rifle was discovered missing after scrutiny of the arms movement of Kiaruyu Police Post in Mathira East, Nyeri County.
The alarming trend of police firearms being stolen in recent months serves to heighten security apprehensions across the country.
