A junior police officer accidentally shot and seriously injured himself while conducting safety checks on his pistol at the General Service Unit (GSU) Magadi Training Camp in Kajiado County.
The constable, part of a group undergoing refresher courses at the camp, suffered a gunshot wound to his left thigh. The incident occurred in the Kamukuru area, prompting colleagues to rush to the scene after hearing a gunshot and screams.
The officer explained he was performing safety precautions and clearing his loaded Jericho pistol, which contained 14 bullets, when the accident happened. A spent cartridge and the pistol were recovered at the scene. He was quickly taken to Magadi Hospital for treatment, where his condition was reported as stable.
Such accidents are not uncommon among police officers during safety drills, despite extensive training on handling firearms.
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Recovery of Illegal Weapons in Marsabit
Separately, police in Marsabit County recovered three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, and 120 rounds of ammunition during an operation in Manyatta Daba/Segel area. Acting on intelligence, officers raided a homestead where the weapons were believed to have been hidden for an upcoming mission.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether the firearms were used in other crimes, including cattle rustling. Security officials have intensified efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons in the region.
Cattle Theft in Meru County
In a separate incident in the Kangeta area of Meru County, armed bandits raided a village and stole 64 cattle. The livestock was driven from Rikau to an undisclosed location. Police are pursuing the culprits in an effort to recover the animals.
Successes of Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift
The government’s Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, launched in February 2023, continues to make significant progress in combating banditry, cattle rustling, and violence across nine counties, including Baringo, Turkana, and Samburu.
As of Wednesday, the Interior Ministry reported a 62% drop in cattle rustling cases, with stolen livestock numbers decreasing from 63,054 to 23,668—a reduction of 39,386 animals. Authorities have also recovered 10,173 livestock and seized 172 illegal firearms.
The operation has led to the arrest and prosecution of 250 suspects, including 14 political leaders, as part of efforts to restore peace in the troubled regions. The initiative brings together the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to stabilize areas designated as "Disturbed" and "Dangerous."
