The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has apprehended a man accused of impersonating a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) captain to evade an 'alcoblow' test at Museum Hill, Nairobi.
The suspect’s arrest has led to the uncovering of a significant cache of military gear and weapons, resulting in the detainment of two additional suspects.
On Wednesday, May 15, police arrested a suspect who was stopped at a routine police roadblock but refused to comply with officers' instructions.
According to the DCI, the suspect obstructed traffic police by declining to roll down his car windows for the breathalyser test, stepping out of his black Toyota Prado TX, and presenting himself as a KDF captain, pointing to a KDF sticker on his windscreen.
Unable to produce a certificate of appointment or justify his exemption from the test, the suspect called a serving military captain, who distanced himself when the situation escalated.
Verification from the Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed that the man was not a military officer, leading to his immediate arrest and subsequent arraignment at the Milimani Law Courts on traffic-related charges.
Following his release from court, anti-robbery police, acting on a tip-off, apprehended the suspect and his alleged driver and held them at the Nairobi Area Traffic Headquarters as they attempted to retrieve the detained vehicle.
During interrogation, the case was transferred to the Director of Operations, who instructed the Operation Support Unit to investigate the pair further.
A search of the suspect’s vehicle yielded 15 counterfeit US dollar notes in 100 dollar denominations, a police pocket phone, a vehicle siren, expired Ugandan car insurance, seven SIM card holders, and two company stamps. This led to the arrest of Omwanda and a deeper probe into their activities.
A subsequent search of the primary suspect's residence on Hilltop Road in Ngong unearthed military camouflage jungle fatigues and various company documents. Social media posts revealed images of the suspect brandishing firearms, which are yet to be recovered.
Further interrogation revealed a third suspect implicated a third individual. A raid at the individual's residence at Jimly Apartment in Jamhuri Estate uncovered three hand grenades, a Sauer P229 pistol, twelve rounds of ammunition, and a firearm certificate under scrutiny for authenticity.
The suspect claimed the grenades were entrusted to him by a Kenya Prisons officer for safekeeping, prompting an investigation to verify the officer’s identity and involvement.
The discovery of these items has heightened concerns over the potential threat posed by the trio, suspected of being part of a broader criminal ring. Authorities are pursuing leads to locate a long-barrelled rifle reportedly seen with the first suspect, based on an informer's tip.
