By Job Weru
Nyeri, Kenya: Shock has gripped residents of a village near Mweiga town after a rifle and bullets were recovered at a farm opposite that of former President Kibaki’s newly constructed residence.
The rifle, which Nyeri OCPD Mr Kirunya Limbitu described as a modified Barretta, was found in a fenced grassland where police say the owners might have hidden it.
A herdsboy, Alex Maina discovered the rifle as he got into the land to get his goats which had strayed into the farm.
“I found the item, which was wrapped with a black polythene paper. Just next to it, there was another parcel which I discovered had bullets,” said Maina.
The assorted bullets were wrapped using a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) trouser and there were 117 rounds of ammunition. The wrapping also had two spent cartridges.
Limbitu said they suspect the rifle was being used for poaching in the region.
“It is unfortunate that just last night a rhino was killed in one of the nearby wildlife conservancies and we suspect the rifle was used by the poachers whom we are still pursuing,” he said.
However, queries were raised over the proximity of the scene to the former President’s farmhouse, which is guarded by the elite General Service Unit and that is also near Aberdares KWS headquarters.
Probe officers
Mr Simon Wanjohi, a resident, said the fact that the bullets were wrapped with a KWS jungle trouser raises suspicions as to whether the wildlife officers have a hand in the matter.
He said it was hard for any other criminal to hide an illegal gun in a farm opposite the former President’s gate that is under 24-hour guard and near a KWS camp.
“The rifle is not owned by the Government while it was found barely 150m from KWS headquarters. We urge the police to investigate officers at the camp,” said Wanjohi.
