- Police in Thika East launched a massive manhunt after thieves broke into Maguguni Patrol Base and stole two rifles with ammunition
- The raid, discovered before dawn on October 29, exposed a serious breach in one of Kiambu’s police facilities
- Investigators arrested 72 people and a police corporal, as detectives probed possible insider involvement
- Forensic teams combed the scene as police appealed for public help to recover the stolen weapons
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Police in Kiambu county are on high alert after unknown suspects staged a daring overnight break-in at Maguguni Patrol Base in Thika East.
Source: UGC
The gang made away with two rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in what has been described as one of the most serious security breaches.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 29, has triggered a multi-agency manhunt as detectives race against time to recover the stolen weapons and establish how thieves gained access to a secured police facility.
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What happened during Maguguni Police base break-in?
According to Central Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi, the theft was discovered shortly after 4am when officers on night duty noticed signs of tampering on the armoury door.
Inside, a steel storage box had been pried open and two rifles, along with several magazines and live ammunition, were missing.
“It is true that an incident happened yesterday where our armoury within the Maguguni Police Post was broken into and led to the loss of firearms, two rifles, one AK-47 and one G3. Up to now, since yesterday, the investigation is at a higher notch, and currently we have 72 people in custody. We are yet to do some sorting out so that we can link, because we have done a lot in terms of investigation,” Ndanyi confirmed.
A detailed police report, filed under OB number 02/29/10/2025, revealed that the theft was first noticed by an officer who had stepped out on patrol after hearing dogs barking near the perimeter of the patrol base.
Upon returning to the report office, the officer discovered that one iron sheet of the armoury wall had been removed, and the padlock securing the door had been broken.
“When he went inside, he found the armoury steel box opened and noticed that the following were missing: one AK-47 rifle with two fully loaded magazines of special 30 rounds each, one G3 rifle with one fully loaded magazine of 20 rounds, two empty magazines, and 96 rounds,” the report stated.
Who’s been arrested over Kiambu police base theft?
The discovery prompted immediate alerts to senior officers, who rushed to the scene and confirmed the breach.
Forensic teams from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have since been deployed to comb the area for fingerprints and other forensic evidence that could help trace the culprits.
The stolen AK-47 rifle had 60 rounds of ammunition, while the G3 rifle had 20 rounds.
By Thursday, October 30, police had arrested a corporal attached to the station and detained 72 other individuals from the surrounding community for questioning as part of the widening probe.
Source: UGC
Investigators are working to establish whether the theft involved insider collaboration or was executed by outsiders who exploited lapses in night patrol routines.
Ndanyi said the ongoing operation aims to identify the suspects, recover the stolen firearms, and close any security gaps within police installations.
He also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and share any information that might help the search.
“We believe that the firearm is in the hands of civilians outside there, and I also want to take this opportunity to appeal to the members of the public that, should you have any information that will lead us to recover those firearms,” he urged.
Kisumu man shoots at police officers
In a separate report, a 21-year-old man triggered panic in Kisumu’s city centre when he opened fire at police along Otieno Oyoo Street.
Witnesses said commuters scattered as shots echoed. Police pursuing suspicious individuals noted one gesturing with a bag. On approach, he reportedly drew an AK-47 and opened fire.
He broke into the Patel Samaj Temple compound, tied up a security guard after robbing his phone and other items, then climbed to a rooftop.
From that vantage he continued firing toward officers. A police tactical team cornered him, recovered the assault rifle and five bullets, and arrested him.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
