Police seize arms cache from councillor

By CYRUS OMBATI

A councilor has been arrested after he was found transporting 1,000 bullets, a gun and sugar from Somalia.

The nominated Nakuru councilor was detained alongside four men after they were found transporting more than 250 bags of sugar believed to be smuggled from Somalia. Police inspected the cargo at Elwak and found the bullets.

Police are yet to establish the destination of the arms or the motive but detectives were interrogating the suspects who were expected to appear in a Wajir court today.

Police said the suspects could face various charges including being in possession of illegal firearm and ammunition.

Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere confirmed the arrests saying his team was working with other security agencies in establishing the motive of importing the ammunitions.

The said bullets are usually used in AK47 rifle, the preferred weapon by thugs in the country.

"We are still pursuing the links on the destination of these ammunition. We also want to know if the suspects have been doing the business in the past," said Iteere.

The police boss declined to confirm if the prime suspect was indeed a councilor in Nakuru.

"They are appearing in court now. You can send your crew to get their images."

The recovery was made between the main Kenyan-Somalia border and Elwak at a roadblock.

Police said the bullets were hidden in the bags of illegal sugar.

This is the latest recovery of illegal weapons after more than 130,000 others were seized in a house in Narok.