Some of the items recovered from the suspect/Police
A man believed to be a former police officer was arrested in the early hours of Monday after he was allegedly found impersonating a police officer while armed with a pistol at a casino in Nairobi's Kilimani area.
The suspect was arrested at about 2.30 am by officers from Kilimani Police Station who responded to a distress call at the casino.
Police said the suspect was found inside a black motor vehicle and was subsequently identified as a former police officer.
A search allegedly resulted in the recovery of a CZ pistol, an empty 9mm magazine, a pair of handcuffs, a purported Certificate of Appointment bearing his name identifying him as a police constable, and a purported firearm licence indicating ownership of the pistol.
During preliminary questioning, investigators said the suspect claimed he had 100 rounds of ammunition stored at his residence.
The suspect led officers to his rented house in Waruku Village, Dagoretti North, where detectives reportedly recovered 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition packed in two boxes, each containing 50 rounds.
Police said the suspect is undergoing processing pending arraignment as detectives continue investigations to establish the source of the recovered firearm and ammunition and determine the full extent of the alleged impersonation.
The recovered firearm, handcuffs, suspected forged documents and the motor vehicle were seized as exhibits for forensic examination and verification.
Police say they have recorded an increase in cases involving people allegedly impersonating government officials. Most of the cases remain under investigation.
Some of the suspects have since been arrested and arraigned in court.
Meanwhile, police have launched investigations after recovering 320 rounds of ammunition of different calibres and an imitation firearm from a rented house in Nairobi's Mowlem area.
The recovery followed a report by a tenant at an apartment block along Kangundo Road.
According to police, the caretaker became suspicious after a tenant had been absent for an extended period, only occasionally visiting the house late at night, and had also defaulted on rent for two months.
Police said the caretaker's suspicions deepened after a woman was seen entering the house on Wednesday before leaving hurriedly with luggage while the apartment door was left open.
The caretaker told police he noticed what appeared to be a firearm lying on a table and informed the landlord, who alerted officers.
A team of police officers searched the house and recovered an imitation silver-coloured firearm together with 320 rounds of ammunition, comprising 120 rounds of 9×19mm ammunition, 134 rounds of 5.56×45mm ammunition and 66 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition.
The recovered ammunition and the imitation firearm were seized and secured at the station armoury as exhibits.
Police have launched investigations to establish the source of the ammunition and trace the tenant and the woman seen leaving the house. No arrests had been made by the time of reporting.
