Embakasi East MCA Among Three Arrested Over Illegal Firearm Possession in Nairobi
In a statement, the DCI confirmed that the three suspects are currently in police custody pending their arraignment in court.
Photo/Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested three individuals, including an elected Member of County Assembly (MCA), following the recovery of an allegedly unlicensed firearm during an operation in Nairobi.
According to the DCI, Embakasi East MCA Patrick Karani was arrested on June 23 alongside two other suspects after detectives conducted a raid at his office in the Roasters area along Thika Road.
During the operation, investigators recovered a Glock pistol and a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The firearm and ammunition were seized and secured as exhibits as detectives launched further investigations into the matter.
In a statement, the DCI confirmed that the three suspects are currently in police custody pending their arraignment in court.
“Three suspects, including a Member of County Assembly (MCA), are now behind bars following a police operation at the Roasters area of Nairobi that led to the recovery of a Glock pistol,” the investigative agency said.
Preliminary investigations established that the firearm was allegedly being held without a valid firearm licence, an offence under Kenyan law. Detectives are now working to establish the ownership of the weapon and the circumstances under which it came into the possession of the suspects.
The arrest places Karani among a growing list of political leaders currently facing scrutiny from law enforcement agencies over various investigations.
The latest development comes barely hours after Kuresoi North Member of Parliament Alfred Mutai was detained at Nakuru Central Police Station after presenting himself to detectives investigating violent clashes that disrupted a youth empowerment event in Kuresoi North last week.
The legislator had been sought by investigators in connection with a gun-related incident that left three people nursing gunshot wounds during the event, which was attended by leaders allied to Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika.
Mutai later surrendered to detectives after days of speculation over his whereabouts and was subsequently taken into custody as investigations continued.
Meanwhile, political tensions in Nakuru County have intensified after the Senate Committee on National Security directed law enforcement agencies to arrest Governor Susan Kihika for repeatedly failing to honour summons issued by the committee.
The committee is conducting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and alleged killing of Brian Odhiambo, as well as concerns over environmental pollution at Lake Nakuru. Senators are also seeking answers regarding reports of fish contamination linked to heavy metals and the discharge of untreated sewage into the lake.
Committee members expressed frustration over the governor’s repeated failure to appear before them despite several invitations and summonses. The lawmakers argued that her absence had hampered efforts to establish facts surrounding the issues under investigation.
The developments signal increasing pressure on public officials as law enforcement agencies and parliamentary oversight committees intensify investigations into matters touching on security, governance and public accountability.
As for the Embakasi East MCA and his co-accused, detectives are expected to complete processing of the case before presenting them in court, where they will face charges related to the alleged illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The DCI has indicated that investigations remain ongoing and that further action will depend on the outcome of forensic examinations and witness statements collected during the probe.
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