Police officers in Kiambu County are investigating an incident in which a missing G3 rifle was recovered from an armed man who was killed by a mob in the Magana area of Thika East on Friday, December 5.
Residents confronted the armed suspect, and local administrators arrived moments later to find the man fatally injured.
The police recovered a G3 rifle, two magazines, 68 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition, blank rounds, a penknife and other personal items.
"Officers from Munyu Police Station rushed to the scene. There, they recovered a G3 rifle, two magazines, 68 rounds of ammunition, additional blank rounds, a penknife, and other related items", read a statement by the National Police Service.
"The firearm and ammunition have been secured and placed in police custody pending further forensic and ballistic analysis," the statement added.
According to the police, the gun had been reported missing in an earlier case in Thika East. Preliminary findings revealed that the firearm may have been used in other criminal activities prior to resurfacing during the violent confrontation.
The NPS also urged the public to report any suspected criminal activity to the police instead of taking matters into their own hands.
“The National Police Service appeals to members of the public to refrain from acts of mob injustice and instead to report suspected criminal activities to law enforcement authorities for appropriate and lawful action,” the statement added.
The Service encouraged public cooperation in ongoing efforts to recover illegal firearms and enhance national security.
These efforts include 'Operation Rudisha Bunduki' (Bring Back the Gun), which encourages residents to voluntarily surrender illegally held firearms without fear of prosecution.
The NPS has also collaborated with other security agencies, such as the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and local administration officers to conduct targeted security operations in affected areas.
NPS has encouraged the public to anonymously report information about illegal firearms via dedicated toll-free hotlines or the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) tip line.
