Detectives in Narok on Friday recovered a stolen police firearm while searching for a murder suspect in Lolgorian area.
According to a report by the National Police Service (NPS), the firearm was recovered during a raid at the suspect’s house within Nyamasangura village in Mashangwa sub-location.
At the time, the suspect, Emmanuel Koech, was not present however, detectives found three people identified as Joel Kiplangat, 38, Vincent Langat, 31 and Gilbert Kipngeno and arrested them.
The officers conducted a thorough search of the house and recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds, 3 bows, 82 arrows, 3 swords and 3 receptacles.
“DCI Officers from Lolgorian on October 27, 2023, in search of a murder suspect, one Emmanuel Koech, raided the suspect’s house within Nyamasangura Village, Mashangwa Sub-Location and found three persons in the said house namely; Joel Kiplangat, 38, Vincent Langat, 31 and Gilbert Kipngeno, 21. Upon thorough search of the house, an AK-47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds, 3 bows, 82 arrows, 3 swords and 3 receptacles were recovered,” the statement reads in parts.
A manhunt for the murder suspect has since been launched.
“The trio were arrested, and efforts are underway to arrest the murder suspect, Emmanuel Koech who escaped the police dragnet,” the statement added.
Similar incident
The latest comes days after 10 suspects were arrested in connection to the spate of break-ins in bars across Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Laikipia and Kirinyaga counties.
In a statement shared, the DCI noted that they recovered assorted goods from the suspects during the operation. Some of the items recovered include assorted alcoholic drinks, Keg pumps, and Keg cylinders.
The suspects arrested include Bonface Mutwiri, Patrick Mwenda, David Mwaki, Gideon Gatobu, Sharon Makena, Fidelis Kananu, Abdillahi Yussuf, Caroline Kanana, Bonface Kathiri and Martin Mwiti.
The DCI noted that one of the raids was conducted at Stinger Lounge Bar owned by Geoffrey Muriuki, who police believe is the mastermind of the robbery.
“In a linked operation, three vehicles belonging to three suspects were intercepted at Makutano area and upon search, a panga and metal bars were recovered inside a Toyota Probox Reg. No. KCA 836R driven by Gedion Gatobu, whereas two knives, two pangas, two metal bars, two pairs of number plates and empty sacks were recovered in another Toyota Probox Reg. No. KBK 075S driven by David Mwaki,” DCI said in a statement.
According to DCI, another vehicle driven by a suspect identified as Patrick Mwenda Kirimi was also intercepted during the operation.
The detectives believe that the vehicle is one of those used to commit the crimes.
“Another search at Sharon Makena’s house resulted in the recovery of an LG TV, assorted drinks, a Keg pump, an Infinix phone and a lumix lens camera, all believed to have been stolen goods,” DCI added.
Police have since launched a manhunt for Muriuki. BY K24 NEWS