Nakuru police officer arrested with 10kg ivory

A 28-year-old police officer attached to Nakuru Central Police Station has been arrested by his colleagues while allegedly in the process of selling game trophies in Molo.

Ben Muiru Mwangi was arrested alongside Maina Gichura, 32 in possession of ten kilograms of ivory outside one of the banks where the transaction was to take place.

Speaking to the press, Molo Sub County Police Commander Timon Odingo said that they received information that the officer was transporting the ivory and set a trap for them.

“The suspects arrived at the scene riding on a motorcycle. Asked to identify themselves, the two declined while one attempted to open one of the loaded bags,” said Odingo.

The police swung into action arresting the two and recovered the ivory and a firearm inside the bags.

“We recovered five pieces of ivory inside one of the bags. In the other bag, we found a CZ Scorpion gun which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition,” said Odingo.

The SCPC said that their analysis of the firearm with serial number KPB431030 indicated that it belonged to the government.

“The firearm clearly belongs to the Kenya Police Service and we are yet to establish how it was issued out. We are also seeking to know where they obtained the ivory,” he said.

Separately, a robbery suspect was arrested in Molo town during an active robbery while in possession of an imitation firearm.

“We responded to a distress call from one of the supermarkets that a robbery was ongoing. We arrested one suspect Joseph Kuria with an imitation firearm,” said Odingo.