Police intercepted Kenya A passenger bus was stopped en route to the capital, Nairobi, after an unusual cargo was suspected inside its trunk at a joint checkpoint on the Thika-Garissa Expressway in the Kanyonio area.
A significant security operation was carried out after the discovery of live ammunition and clothing.
The operation, which was described as a routine inspection, quickly turned into a major security seizure after live ammunition and clothing suspected of belonging to government agencies were discovered.
A routine inspection leads to a dangerous discovery
According to a statement issued by the Criminal Investigation Directorate in KenyaA joint security team was manning the checkpoint when officers noticed hidden contents inside a blue metal box at the back of the bus. Upon opening the box, the situation transformed from a routine procedure into a potentially serious security incident.
Various ammunition and field equipment
The search resulted in the discovery of 19 live 7.62×51 mm rounds for a G3 rifle, 116 7.62×39 mm rounds for an AK-47 rifle, in addition to two empty magazines and two knives.
It wasn't just ammunition; the box also contained ceremonial clothing and two combat jackets believed to belong to the Organised Crime Unit, along with three green trousers and a red hat from the Kenyan Public Service Unit uniform.
A package without a sender raises suspicions
Authorities reported that the shipment was registered as a parcel originating from Mokwey in Lamu County, but the lack of sender information immediately raised suspicions about its origin and purpose. This ambiguity reinforced the theory that an organized network was behind the shipment and attempted to smuggle it through public transportation.
The driver and his assistant were arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
Police arrested the bus driver and his assistant at the scene, and they were taken, along with the seized items, to the Kanyonyo Police Station in Kitwe County, where they remain in custody.
The directorate confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the extent of their involvement, and did not rule out the possibility of further arrests.
Follow the threads to uncover the network
The directorate emphasized that it is "pursuing crucial leads" to identify those involved and dismantle the potential network. This operation is seen as a preemptive step that prevented security risks that could have arisen from these materials reaching their unknown destination.
