Detectives have dismantled a clandestine arms syndicate allegedly operated by serving security officers, exposing a racket blamed for fueling bloodshed and insecurity in several regions of the country.

Four suspects, all men in uniform, were rounded up after weeks of covert surveillance by sleuths attached to the elite Operations Support Unit.

Those in custody include Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Ekidor Lotira Charles, Corporal Isaac Kipngetich from Turkana County, Police Constable Ileli Cyrus Kisamwa, a firearm custodian at the Central Armoury in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, and Constable Samson Muriithi Mutongu, also deployed at the same armoury.

The sting unfolded dramatically when Kipngetich was intercepted in possession of 1,000 live rounds allegedly sourced from Kisamwa and Mutongu, and believed to have been destined for Lotira in Turkana.

The bust exposed a web that investigators believe stretched from official armouries to conflict-prone zones.

Follow-up operations led to the recovery of a cache that included 19 assorted magazines, firing pins, weapon cleaning kits, and several spent cartridges. Investigators further seized a Remington Rand Model 1911 pistol and Ceska pistol components linked to Kisamwa.

All four officers are scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, September 29, 2025, on charges related to the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms.

In a statement, the National Police Service said it would not hesitate to weed out rogue elements within its ranks, warning that officers who betray their oath by feeding criminal networks will face the full force of the law.

In July, ODM leader Raila Odinga termed the police as rogue, a force shooting the people with impunity, one that was inherited from colonial system of government.

Raila who was expected to attend the Saba Saba demonstrations at Kamukunji earlier in the day said he was speaking on behalf of the ODM party and that his statement addressed all Kenyans “including the president”.

“As a living architect of the events leading to Saba Saba, I choose a coming together of minds and country in the interest of country I long fought for its stability and prosperity. The most important struggle taking place in our country today is the struggle for good governance, economic opportunity and equality. The biggest challenge facing Kenya today and the pursuit of future is how to expand economic opportunity and leave particularly young Kenyans out of poverty,” he said.