Kenyans are raising tough questions after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the recovery of an AK-47 rifle stolen during the June 25 protests.
The weapon was reportedly taken from Dagoretti Police Station in Kiambu County. While DCI claims the gun was recovered following a forensic-led operation, the absence of details has stirred public anger.
Many people want to know why the suspect’s identity is missing and how the suspect supposedly escaped. Social media is awash with skepticism, with many calling the report incomplete and unconvincing.
DCI Faces Backlash Over Vague Report on Recovery of Stolen Gun
The DCI stated that officers from Kabete Police Station received a tip-off about a suspicious man carrying a bulging bag inside a bar in the Gahui area. Acting on this tip, the officers launched an operation.
The report claims forensic leads helped identify the suspect. However, DCI did not share the nature of these leads or the suspect’s identity. Officers then reportedly went to the suspect’s home in the Njuki-Kirigu area to make an arrest. But the suspect allegedly disappeared “without a trace.”
A search of the house, conducted in the presence of the suspect’s mother, led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, and a single round of 7.62mm special ammunition. DCI shared images of the recovered items and announced that a manhunt was underway to find the suspect.
The AK-47 is one of the five firearms reported stolen from the Dagoretti Police Post during the violent protests that rocked the country on June 25. On top of that, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that four other guns were destroyed by fire at Gachui Police Post.
Kenyans Demand Transparency and Accountability
The DCI’s statement sparked immediate criticism from the public, especially online. Many Kenyans questioned why such an important report lacked the typical information shared in similar cases. The agency often publishes suspects’ names, photos, and ID numbers. This time, nothing was revealed.
One user asked, “Always, the DCI lines up persons whom they have arrested as suspects of such serious crimes. Where are the suspects who were arrested with these firearms?”
Another added, “Who led the officers to the house, and who fled? Am confused.”
Citizens also highlighted that if the suspect was already identified, there should be no reason not to name him, especially for a case as serious as weapon theft from a police post. Others questioned the credibility of the report, suspecting that it may have been staged to show progress in the aftermath of a national security embarrassment.
National Security Concerns as Guns Remain Missing
The recovery of a single gun does not ease the broader national concern. According to Murkomen, a total of five guns were stolen, and only one has been recovered. That leaves four still unaccounted for, raising major fears over public safety.
Armed criminals roaming with military-grade weapons are a risk not only to police officers but to civilians as well. The Interior Ministry has remained silent on whether any new measures are being taken to fast-track the recovery of the remaining firearms or to prevent future thefts.
The events of June 25 exposed critical weaknesses in Kenya’s security infrastructure. Protesters stormed police stations, looted property, and overwhelmed law enforcement. Despite that, the government has offered limited public updates, leading to speculation, mistrust, and frustration.
Many Kenyans are now calling on both the DCI and Interior Ministry to provide a full breakdown of the recovery process. They want names, timelines, and clear evidence that the gun was not simply placed at the scene to save face. The people demand proof that justice is not only being done but being seen to be done.
