Police officers from Tarbaj Police Station in Wajir County recovered a firearm and ammunition from a bus travelling from Mandera to Nairobi on Tuesday, July 11.
According to the report filed at the police station, the law enforcement officers intercepted the bus along the Tarbaj Highway during a routine inspection. However, they sensed something was amiss after the driver and other suspects acted suspiciously.
Initially, the police believed the bus was ferrying contraband goods, prompting them to initiate a search after interrogating the driver, tout, and other passengers.
"The bus was suspected of carrying contraband goods and was taken to Tarbaj Police Station whereby a multi-agency team composed of OCPD, SCCIO, CIPU Commander, and OCS conducted a thorough search," read part of the report seen by Kenyans.co.ke.
The bus carrying 57 passengers was found to be ferrying an AK 47 rifle with a fixed butt stock and no serial number, wrapped with a brown red matt, and four empty AK-47 rifle magazines.
Other items recovered were two-bolt head carriers without serial numbers and 201 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition.
According to the police, the firearms and ammunition were hidden under the rear passenger seats.
Despite thorough questioning and further interrogation of the passengers, the police couldn't extract information on the owner of the goods. Consequently, the law enforcers took decisive action and arrested several suspects, including the driver, conductor, mechanic, and two passengers, to aid in the investigations.
Following the discovery, the bus was detained at the police station to unravel the mystery of the owner and destination of the firearm and ammunition.
"The exhibits have been kept at Tarbaj Police Station pending collection by the TPU Wajir detachment. Case PBC, ATPU Wajir dealing," read part of the OB.
The Firearms Act stipulates that no person shall purchase, acquire or have in their possession any firearm or ammunition unless he holds a firearm certificate in force at the time.
"No person shall remove or transport, or cause to be removed or transported, any firearm or ammunition from one place to another in Kenya, whether for the purpose of export or otherwise, save under and in accordance with a removal permit issued by a licensing officer," reads part of the Act.
Additionally, any person who obliterates the serial number of any firearm in his possession or is found, without reasonable excuse, in possession of a firearm the serial number of which has been tampered with shall be guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five, but not exceeding 10 years.
