A senior police officer has been hospitalized following an attempted suicide after reportedly losing his service rifle 

The officer identified as Inspector Charles Muriungi Koroneli, who is attached to the Kariobangi South Police Post, reportedly ingested a pesticide after losing his service weapon.

According to Koroneli’s wife, Edna Kanyiri Kithure, the incident occurred at their residence in Rongai, Kajiado County.

Kithure stated that her husband came home and informed her that he had lost his Ceska pistol, which was loaded with 15 bullets.

His wife also told police that her husband looked extremely troubled when he arrived home since he could not recall how he lost the weapon.

Details of the incident

Immediately after, he then excused himself and went to the washing area and ingested the pesticide.

The officer’s family found him writhing in pain and quickly rushed him to the Nairobi Women’s Hospital Rongai for emergency treatment.

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“He suddenly moved to the washing area and took a pesticide (Ograno Phosphate poisoning). He was rushed to Nairobi Women’s Hospital Rongai where he is being treated,” a report 

Following the incident the police were informed and have since launched an investigation into the missing firearm.

Search teams have been dispatched to Koroneli’s home and other locations he frequented in an effort to recover the weapon.

“Appropriate action taken, and a search party dispatched to his house and areas he previously visited,” the report adds.

The loss of a loaded service weapon is a serious matter that can have significant consequences, and it remains to be seen whether the firearm will be recovered, and the officer will face any disciplinary action.

Similar Cases of Police Officers Losing their Firearms

The incident came just weeks after another officer reportedly lost his service rifle under unclear circumstances.

The police officer, identified as Police Constable Benson Otenda, was arrested after his loaded AK-47 rifle went missing while he was taking a nap.

The incident occurred at his quarters in Karatu Police Station, Gatundu South, Kiambu County.

Also Read: Police Officer Arrested After AK-47 with 30 Bullets Goes Missing During a Nap

Otenda had been on duty the previous night and handed over his rifle to a colleague before going home.

“It was reported by No.124987 PC Benson Otenda, that he was relieved from his place of duty today at the report office at 0605hrs and handed over to no.249946 PC Leonard Kimani,” read the police report in part

He placed the rifle next to his bed and fell asleep, only to discover it missing upon waking up.

The police launched an investigation into the incident, with various units and security teams involved in the search for the lost firearm.

The officer was detained as his colleagues searched for the rifle, which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.

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