Police in Kiambu County are investigating an incident where a missing G3 rifle was recovered from an armed man killed by a mob in the Magana area of Thika East on Friday, December 5. Residents confronted the suspect, leading to his fatal injury, and officers retrieved the weapon along with ammunition. The National Police Service warns against mob justice and urges reporting crimes to authorities.
The incident occurred in the Magana area of Thika East, where residents confronted an armed suspect, leading to a mob that fatally injured him. Local administrators arrived to find the man severely hurt and ultimately deceased. Officers from Munyu Police Station rushed to the scene and recovered a G3 rifle, two magazines, 68 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition, blank rounds, a penknife, and other personal items.
According to a statement from the National Police Service (NPS), "Officers from Munyu Police Station rushed to the scene. There, they recovered a G3 rifle, two magazines, 68 rounds of ammunition, additional blank rounds, a penknife, and other related items." The firearm and ammunition have been secured and placed in police custody pending further forensic and ballistic analysis.
Police state the gun was reported missing in an earlier case in Thika East, with preliminary findings indicating it may have been used in other criminal activities before resurfacing during the violent confrontation. The NPS urges the public to report suspected criminal activity rather than taking matters into their own hands.
“The National Police Service appeals to members of the public to refrain from acts of mob injustice and instead to report suspected criminal activities to law enforcement authorities for appropriate and lawful action,” the statement reads. The Service encourages public cooperation in ongoing efforts to recover illegal firearms and enhance national security.
These include 'Operation Rudisha Bunduki' (Bring Back the Gun), which encourages residents to voluntarily surrender illegally held firearms without fear of prosecution. The NPS has collaborated with other security agencies, such as the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and local administration officers to conduct targeted security operations in affected areas. The NPS encourages anonymous reporting of information about illegal firearms via dedicated toll-free hotlines or the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) tip line.