Police Officer Tricked by Fake Colleague as Rifle and Ammunition Stolen from Kitale Police Station

A police officer attached to Kitale Police Station is under investigation after allegedly being deceived by a man posing as a fellow officer, resulting in the theft of a service rifle and ammunition.

According to an Occurrence Book (OB) report, the incident occurred on Tuesday night at around 9:30 p.m. when an unknown suspect arrived at the station's main gate dressed in a police raincoat. 

The man reportedly introduced himself as a police officer who had recently been transferred from Eldoret Police Station and was seeking accommodation within the police lines.

The suspect is said to have interacted with officers on duty, including Police Constable Ishmael Kimutai, Police Constable Cornelius Kiplimo, and Corporal Jeremiah Rotich, who was overseeing operations at the gate that night. After a brief conversation, the man allegedly requested assistance in locating a place to buy food nearby.

Police Constable Kimutai reportedly volunteered to escort him to a nearby hotel. During the walk, the suspect allegedly asked the officer to help carry his firearm—a Stryer rifle bearing serial number 3177302—which was loaded with 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Investigators say that near a row of shops, Kimutai handed over the rifle to the suspect. Moments later, the man reportedly jumped onto a waiting motorcycle and sped off toward Kitale town, disappearing with the weapon and ammunition.

Authorities further revealed that the officer did not immediately raise an alarm or notify his superiors after the incident. Instead, he reportedly made a phone call only after realizing the suspect had escaped.

The theft triggered an urgent security operation led by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), with officers dispatched to trace and recover the missing firearm. Security agencies consider the loss of a police weapon a serious matter due to the potential risk it poses to public safety.

As investigations continue, the three officers who were on duty at the station gate—Jeremiah Rotich, Ishmael Kimutai, and Cornelius Kiplimo—have reportedly been placed in custody pending further inquiries.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Trans Nzoia West have taken over the investigation and are working to establish the suspect’s identity, recover the stolen rifle, and determine whether any procedural lapses contributed to the incident.

The unusual case has raised concerns about security protocols at police facilities and the need for stricter verification procedures when dealing with individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers.