Kenya Defence Forces officer found with ‘stolen’ goods in Nakuru

By Karanja Njoroge

Nakuru, Kenya: An officer with the Kenya Defence Force and a woman companion were arrested by police in Nakuru after being found with goods suspected to have been stolen from the Westgate Mall.

The two were set to be charged before a Nakuru Court Tuesday morning, but the case was discharged following intervention of the military police.

Military police camped outside the Nakuru Central Police Station to secure the release of the officer.

The military police asked the officer to be released, arguing that he should be court-marshalled and not tried in civilian court.

The officer, who is from the 20 Para Battalion at Kenyatta Barracks in Gilgil, was arrested on Monday evening after police received a tip off that the woman was hawking electronic goods suspected to have been stolen.

“During interrogation, she revealed the goods were given to her by the man who is stationed at Kenyatta Barracks in Gilgil,” a police officer who declined to be named said.

Police officers, who were ready to prefer charges against the two said they were forced to discharge the case following pressure from their seniors. “We found it strange that we were being asked to release the two including the woman who is not an officer in the military,” the officer said.