Thugs Raid Police Station, Steal Four Guns And 110 Bullets

Police had not established how many people broke into the building...

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Nov 17, 2022 - 12:57 Updated: Nov 17, 2022 - 12:57
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Thugs Raid Police Station, Steal Four Guns And 110 Bullets
An image of an armoury. /FILE

A daring gang broke into Kipasi Police Station in Homa Bay County on Wednesday night, November 16 and stole four guns as well as 110 bullets from the armoury.

The incident happened while a majority of officers were not around the station. The site also houses the office of the Lambwe Central location chief.

Police launched a manhunt to recover the weapons despite not establishing how many of the thugs broke into the building located at the Kipasi trading centre in the Ruri East sub-location.

The raid saw the thugs escape with three G3 guns and one AK-47 rifle, all bearing serial numbers G3 S/NO. A3 6699056, G3 S/NO. 6593403, G3 FMP 402994 and AK-47 NO. 4913650.

A police officer handling a gun. /FILE

The criminals also escaped with 80 rounds of 7.62 millimetres and 30 rounds of 7.62-millimetre special ammunition, according to a police report.

While confirming the incident, area Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo urged the police to crack down on the suspects while expressing worry about how bold they have become.

"It is worrisome that thieves can steal from a police armoury. This means citizens can no longer be safe. Indeed the alarming and increased incidents of violence in Suba North must be dealt with urgently.

"I am nonetheless calling on the police not to victimize innocent people as they often do in the search for the real culprits," she stated.

Reports indicated that the theft was discovered by an officer who reported for duty on Thursday morning, November 17. Officers on duty were questioned for the better part of the day even as it was alleged that the armoury may have been left unattended.

A police corporal at the station noted that he went to the office only to find that someone had broken into the building. Upon inspection, he found that four guns had been stolen, prompting him to alert his bosses.

Officers from the Mbita and Homa Bay police stations were immediately sent to the scene to investigate and found that the criminals gained access by breaking a rear window.

They then broke a padlock on the armoury door and accessed the guns that were kept in a steel rifle box.

The incident came even as President William Ruto instructed police officers not to hesitate in using force against the security threats posed by gangs and bandits across the country.

He directed the officers to use every means at their disposal to deal with the criminals that have been harming ordinary Kenyans amid the ongoing crackdown on the culprits.

"We cannot allow criminals to overrun our cities or any part of Kenya. We have given you the instruments, you have the backing of the law to make sure we deal with criminals firmly, decisively, conclusively, and in accordance with the law and the constitution.

"If any officer is in danger of criminals, they must use their firearms to deal with the criminals. Don't wait for the officers to be killed by criminals so that you take action. We must deal with criminals before they deal with our officers," he stated.

President William Ruto (front center) with other leaders and Police Commanders at State House on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. /PCS

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