KISUMU— Police in Kisumu East Sub-County have apprehended four hardened suspects, seizing a high-caliber Jericho pistol linked to a brazen theft from law enforcement ranks.
The operation, triggered by an anonymous tip from alert residents, unfolded late Saturday in the densely packed Manyatta “B” slums of the Mbeme area. Acting on intelligence about a gang holed up in a nondescript rented house, a joint team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and local uniform officers stormed the premises around 10 p.m. Inside, they nabbed Timothy Odhiambo (32), David Beckham Odhiambo (28), Tony Blair Omondi (35), and Harun Ibrahim (29)—all notorious for a string of armed robberies and muggings that have terrorized the lakeside city’s informal settlements.
“We commend the public’s vigilance; this tip was gold,” said Kisumu East Sub-County Police Commander, Supt. Jane Muthoni, during a briefing Sunday morning. “These individuals have evaded capture for months, preying on vulnerable traders and night workers.”
Under intense interrogation at the station, the quartet cracked, guiding officers to a secondary hideout in the adjacent Kondele neighborhood. There, tucked beneath floorboards, detectives uncovered the matte-black Jericho 941 pistol, complete with a detachable magazine holding 14 live 9mm rounds. Ballistic tests are underway, but preliminary probes point to its theft from a serving officer’s holster amid the chaotic crowds at the state funeral of the former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga —a ceremony drawing thousands and exposing security lapses.
The firearm’s recovery marks a blow to the illicit arms trade plaguing Nyanza region, where stolen police weapons often fuel gang violence.
Currently detained at Kisumu Central Police Station, the four face charges of illegal possession of firearms, theft from a public servant, and conspiracy. Arraignment is slated for Tuesday at the Kisumu Magistrate’s Court.
Community leaders hailed the arrests as a morale booster, urging sustained collaboration between residents and police to reclaim the streets.
“This isn’t just about one gun; it’s about restoring trust in our neighborhoods,” added Muthoni. As investigations deepen, authorities vow to dismantle the broader network, signaling zero tolerance for armed impunity in Kisumu.
