Four individuals were apprehended while selling rifles to undercover law enforcement officers in Maua Town, Meru County.
During an operation conducted on the afternoon of Thursday, December 5, police recovered two AK47 rifles along with two rounds of ammunition from the suspects.
Detectives, posing as potential buyers, successfully lured the four individuals into a negotiation.
According to police reports, the suspects arrived on a motorcycle, with the firearms hidden in a miraa bag.
They had arranged to meet in the Maili Tatu area.
After discussions in which the buyers were to pay Sh300,000 for the weapons, the supposed buyers revealed themselves as undercover police officers.
The officers instructed the four suspects to lie down and surrender, subsequently handcuffing them and taking them into custody for a planned arraignment.
Authorities indicated that the suspects will be presented in court to request their detention while further investigations into their alleged criminal activities in the region are conducted.
The area has been experiencing an increase in crime, leading to public concern and an investigation into the gang responsible.
Gunmen have been attacking and robbing residents, prompting police to initiate the investigation and subsequent operation that resulted in the recovery of the firearms.
Further operations are anticipated in response to the escalating crime rates, according to police statements.
The recovery of the weapons coincided with an incident in Matungu, Kakamega County, where a separate police team shot and killed two suspects and recovered an AK47 rifle loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.
Authorities suspect that these two individuals are affiliated with a gang that has been terrorizing the local population in recent months.
The region has witnessed a surge in criminal activities over the past several months, leading to this operation.
From May to November 2024, there has been a notable increase in violent murders and robberies, with over seven victims reported murdered and many others robbed and injured, resulting in significant public outcry.
