Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) detectives retrieved three rifles and several caches of ammunition that had been stolen from a police camp in Nandi South on April 16, 2019.
The culprits had allegedly made away with the weapons as the officers on duty were engrossed in a UEFA Champions League match involving Barcelona and Manchester United.
"Three Firearms & several ammunitions that were stolen from the police camp in Nandi South was last night recovered following an intelligence-based operation led by DCI detectives in Uasin Gishu, Nandi & Kakamega Counties," DCI tweeted.
Four key suspects were taken into custody following an elaborate operation during which one suspect fingered his co-conspirators enabling the police to recover all the weapons.
The main suspect, Fredrick Khamisi Shivanda, was the first to be arrested after intelligence reports painted him out as the ring leader.
Upon questioning he eventually led the officer to a 47-year-old identified as Gladys Chao who cooperated and helped the police dig out one rifle and 20 rounds of ammunition that were buried in an unoccupied house.
The two were grilled even further leading to the identity of two other culprits, Hinga Kinyanjui and Stephen Njoroge Mwangi, who were swiftly cornered and apprehended by the detectives.
More weapons were discovered buried in shallow ground at a farm in the area, with the DCI affirming that they had recovered all 3 of the stolen rifles as well as several rounds of ammunition which would be kept as exhibits.
All suspects were reportedly taken into custody, awaiting their arraignment at a date that was yet to be established or divulged by the security officials.
The story of the missing guns had garnered national attention back in April 2019 after it was alleged that the thieves managed to walk in and out of the police precinct with minimal fuss as the cops on duty were glued to the TV at a local hotel.
Reports by the Standard dated April 17, 2019, had revealed that all three guns 20 rounds of ammunition each.
