NAIROBI — A late-night police raid in Nairobi’s Pangani neighborhood has turned up a cache of firearms, including an AK-47 rifle and three pistols, according to police sources. Four men three Ugandan nationals and one Kenyan were arrested during the sting.
The operation, described by officers as “intelligence-led,” was carried out by a multi-agency team. It comes amid growing concerns over illegal arms trafficking and rising insecurity in parts of the capital.
The weapons were recovered from a residential property, officials said, though police did not immediately disclose whether ammunition was also seized. The motive or intended use of the weapons is yet to be confirmed.
Speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the press, an officer involved in the operation said, “We had been tracking these individuals for weeks. The arrest was clean and swift. No shots were fired.”
Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda is expected to give a full briefing at the Pangani offices of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) later today.
While the identities of the suspects have not been released, police sources indicated the group may be linked to cross-border smuggling networks. The presence of foreign nationals in the group has raised fresh questions about regional coordination on arms control and intelligence sharing.
Kenya has struggled with sporadic incidents of gun violence, often tied to criminal gangs or smuggling routes that run through neighbouring countries. In recent years, law enforcement agencies have stepped up operations targeting illicit weapons, with mixed success.
Security analyst Sarah Mwangi said the arrest highlights the challenges police face in staying ahead of well-funded smuggling networks. “The weapons recovered here aren’t street-level items. They point to a bigger supply chain possibly stretching beyond Kenya’s borders.”
The suspects remain in custody as investigators continue their probe. Charges are expected to be filed once forensic analysis of the weapons is complete.
This is a developing story. More updates are expected following the official police briefing.
