A tense police operation in Kisumu East has led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of a loaded Jericho pistol believed to have been stolen during the high-profile burial of Former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County, last Sunday.
According to police sources, the firearm — assigned to Police Constable Benson Kodia, an officer attached to the Kakamega Governor — was snatched in the chaos that followed the governor’s departure from the burial venue. Constable Kodia was reportedly escorting the governor to his vehicle when unknown individuals managed to wrestle the pistol from him amid the heavy crowd.
The Tip-Off and the Raid
Days of anxiety and discreet surveillance came to an end on Saturday afternoon, when detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) based at Kasagam Police Station raided a hideout in the Mbeme area following an intelligence tip-off from vigilant members of the public.
A senior detective involved in the operation told the media that the suspects were cornered after hours of surveillance.
“We had been tracking their movement since Thursday. Once we confirmed their location, a special team was dispatched to Mbeme where the arrests were executed swiftly,” said the officer, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
During the operation, the officers recovered the Jericho pistol, still loaded with live rounds, hidden beneath a mattress inside the one-room hideout.
How the Gun Vanished
Preliminary investigations suggest that the theft occurred during the confusion and commotion that marked the conclusion of the late Odinga’s burial, which had drawn thousands of mourners, political leaders, and dignitaries from across the country.
A police report seen by our source indicates that Constable Kodia realized his firearm was missing moments after the governor’s motorcade left the venue. A frantic search ensued, but attempts to locate the weapon that day proved futile.
Security analysts have described the theft as a major breach of protocol, especially given the presence of high-profile leaders at the event.
“The incident underscores the need for tighter VIP security coordination, especially in politically charged events that attract large crowds,” said retired police commander Peter Mwita.
Suspects Under Interrogation
The four suspects — all men aged between 22 and 34 — are currently being held at Kasagam Police Station as detectives piece together how the firearm was moved from Bondo to Kisumu East. Investigators are also probing whether the suspects intended to sell the weapon or use it for criminal activities.
A senior DCI officer confirmed that the suspects will be arraigned in court on Monday, facing multiple charges including possession of a firearm without a license, handling stolen government property, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Public Cooperation Credited
Police have praised members of the public for providing critical information that led to the arrests, urging continued collaboration in enhancing community safety.
“The recovery of this weapon was made possible by ordinary citizens who came forward. We encourage the public to keep sharing information that can help us avert crime,” said Kisumu County Police Commander Grace Kigen.
The incident has ignited debate within police and political circles about security preparedness during high-profile funerals — particularly in Nyanza, where such gatherings often double as political statements.
While calm has since returned, the recovery of the pistol offers a sigh of relief to law enforcement agencies that had been under pressure to resolve the embarrassing lapse.
As investigations continue, the focus now shifts to how the suspects gained access to the restricted security zone — and whether more people were involved in what police describe as a coordinated theft.
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