A daring conman who masqueraded as a newly posted police officer managed to walk into a police station, befriend officers and make away with a loaded firearm before detectives tracked him down in a dramatic operation in Trans Nzoia County.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the suspect allegedly posed as an officer transferred from Eldoret and confidently walked into Kitale Police Station on Wednesday, May 20, dressed in a police raincoat.
Investigators say the man struck up friendly conversations with officers stationed at the gate, claiming he had just reported for duty and needed assistance securing accommodation within the police lines.
His convincing story reportedly earned him the trust of the officers, who even accompanied him to a nearby hotel after he requested help finding a place to eat.
But what appeared to be an ordinary act of police camaraderie quickly turned into a calculated heist.
SIBANGA OFFICERS STRIKE BACK, RECOVER STOLEN POLICE FIREARM
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) May 22, 2026
What began as a brazen deception inside Kitale Police Station ended in a dramatic turnaround after officers from Sibanga Police Station recovered a stolen police firearm that had been snatched from an unsuspecting… pic.twitter.com/BLplrMaFAt
As the officers escorted him, the suspect allegedly manipulated one of them into carrying his luggage before stealthily snatching the officer’s loaded Steyr rifle containing 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The man then reportedly jumped onto a waiting motorcycle and vanished, leaving stunned officers scrambling to understand what had just happened.
The incident triggered an immediate security operation, with officers launching an intense manhunt for both the suspect and the missing firearm.
The breakthrough came after members of the public shared crucial information with detectives.
Acting on the intelligence, officers from Sibanga Police Station traced the suspect to Sokomoko Village in Sitatunga Location, Trans Nzoia East Sub-county, where they arrested 22-year-old Brian Kibet.
Police say Kibet was found in possession of the stolen Steyr rifle, still loaded with the 25 rounds of ammunition.
He was taken into custody and is currently undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment in court.
The DCI praised members of the public for their cooperation, saying the recovery of the firearm highlighted the importance of strong collaboration between citizens and law enforcement agencies in combating crime.
Authorities have continued to urge wananchi to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.