DCI Recover Pistol Stolen From Civilian Firearm Holder

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have recovered a Ceska pistol which was robbed from a civilian firearm holder in Kahawa Sukari on January 2023.

The DCI shared details of the recovery of the weapon on Tuesday, November 7 in a statement, coming following a search at a wounded man's house in Makongeni, Thika. 

The search and subsequent recovery of the weapon followed an alarm raised by members of the public that an unknown man had been sprayed with bullets near the Thika Level V hospital on Monday, November 6, by an occupant riding in a Toyota Probox which then sped off.

"Swinging into action, police rushed to the scene where they found the badly injured man whom they helped to hospital, just in time to have doctors manage his profuse bleeding. 

"Efforts by medical officers and the police to identify the patient proved futile when no identifying document was found on him and, though he could speak, expressed unwillingness to give his name," stated the DCI in part.

in response to the developing events, the officers initiated a forensic ID process that provided his name and later traced his place of residence at Gireki Plaza Hse no. 10 located within the Kiganjo area of Makongeni.

A search therein saw the recovery of the Ceska pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition which was hidden under the carpet alongside a roll of bhang.

Initial investigations have so far identified the firearm as the one robbed from a civilian firearm holder in Kahawa Sukari in January.

At the time, two armed men riding on an unmarked motorcycle accosted him at a construction site. His mobile phone and cash were also stolen.

On the same day (January 28), the two suspects who were on a robbery spree also confronted three citizens at Landless Section 2 where the trio was visiting the site of a parcel of land they had purchased. Their mobile phones and money were also robbed at gunpoint.

"The ongoing investigations signal that the shot suspect may be familiar with his attackers, as they had allegedly engaged in an altercation over a previous engagement before the shots were fired.

"Now being treated as a suspect in violent robberies, the patient remains under police guard pending his recuperation, formal arrest and arraignment," added the DCI.

Detectives are still pursuing the suspect's shooters intending to arrest them.

Aerial view of Thika town. /PEOPLE DAILY