By Cantona Joseph July 23, 2026 08:43 (EAT)

The suspect allegedly grabbed the firearm and fled into a nearby thicket, police said

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The police has launched a major manhunt after a suspect allegedly grabbed a police officer’s firearm and escaped during an attempted arrest in Murang’a South Sub-County.

According to police, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening at around 5:00 p.m. in the Wempa area under Kenol Police Station.

The drama began after officers from Wempa Police Post received a report from the manager of Mwangalia Farm that about 15 suspected goons had invaded the farm, assaulted a security guard, and stolen eight corrugated iron sheets.

As officers responded to the complaint, they received information that the stolen iron sheets had already been sold to a scrap metal dealer in Brooms Village.

When the officers arrived at the scrap yard, they were informed that the suspects had fled after selling the iron sheets and were sharing the proceeds at a nearby house.

The officers tracked down the suspects and attempted to arrest them outside the house. During the confrontation, one of the suspects allegedly wrestled with a police officer, causing the officer to fall to the ground.

In the struggle, the officer’s Duma pistol, loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition, fell to the ground. The suspect allegedly grabbed the firearm and fled into a nearby thicket, police said.

Police officers pursued the suspect and fired three rounds in an attempt to stop him, but he escaped with the weapon.

Senior officers visited the scene and coordinated a search operation.

One suspect was arrested and remains in police custody as detectives investigate the incident and intensify efforts to recover the stolen firearm and apprehend the fleeing suspect.

Meanwhile, an Administration Police officer is recovering in hospital after accidentally shooting himself in the leg while on sentry duty at Riruta AP Camp in Dagoretti South, Nairobi.

According to police, the incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, when colleagues heard a gunshot from the camp’s sentry box.

One of them rushed to the scene and found the officer lying on the ground in pain, with blood oozing from his left leg.

The injured officer reportedly told his commander that he had accidentally discharged his firearm.

Police secured the AK-47 rifle used in the incident, which was loaded with 29 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, along with one spent cartridge recovered from the scene.

The officer was administered first aid before being rushed to Nairobi Women’s Hospital, where he was admitted in stable condition.

The incident has been booked as an accidental discharge, and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Dagoretti have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.