A 42-year-old man was arrested in Juja, Kiambu County, after police officers reportedly recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and several suspicious items during a patrol operation in the area.
According to police, the arrest was made by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) during a routine patrol around Kenyatta Road in Juja Sub-County. Officers on patrol became suspicious of a green Nissan X-Trail registration number KDC 630J and intercepted the vehicle near Muigai Inn Police Post.
Police said the vehicle and its driver were escorted to the nearby police post for further inspection after officers noticed suspicious behaviour.
During the search, officers allegedly recovered an AK-47 rifle concealed beneath the driver’s seat. The firearm was reportedly loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition in the magazine and one round in the chamber.
Detectives also recovered three additional rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from beside the driver’s seat.
The suspect was identified as John Muiruri, a 42-year-old man believed to be from Kikuyu. Police said he was immediately taken into custody as investigations into the matter commenced.
Besides the firearm and ammunition, officers recovered several other items which investigators now believe could assist in ongoing investigations. The items included two daggers, nylon cable ties, ropes, sacks, pieces of tape and a bunch of keys.
Authorities treated all the recovered items as exhibits and transferred both the suspect and the vehicle to Juja Police Station.
The arrest has sparked concern among residents in the area, with many calling for tighter security surveillance amid rising concerns over illegal firearms and criminal activities within parts of Kiambu County.
Investigators are now working to establish where the firearm originated from and whether the suspect was operating alone or as part of a larger criminal network.
Police have not yet revealed the intended use of the firearm and the recovered items, but detectives say investigations are ongoing.
Security agencies have in recent months intensified operations targeting illegal firearms and organised criminal activities across different parts of the country as authorities continue to heighten surveillance and intelligence-led operations.
The suspect remains in custody pending further investigations and possible arraignment in court.
