A pistol belonging to Court of Appeal Judge Aggrey Muchelule has been recovered after a police operation that ended in the fatal shooting of a suspected armed robber in Machakos County.
The firearm is now at the centre of an investigation into how it left the judge’s home and was allegedly used in a robbery that shocked Nairobi earlier this month.
Gun Was Identified
The Beretta pistol was recovered during an operation in Joska, where detectives tracked a suspect they believe was linked to an armed robbery at Chaiiwali restaurant in Westlands on July 4.
Police said the suspect, identified as Vincent Ochieng, was killed after an exchange of fire with officers. A loaded Beretta pistol, ammunition and several mobile phones were recovered from the house.
Detectives later established that the pistol was registered to Justice Muchelule.
Judge Reported It Missing
According to a police report, Justice Muchelule said he only realised the firearm was missing after investigators contacted him on July 14.
He told officers he rarely carried the weapon and had last physically checked it in October 2025 while preparing to renew his firearm licence.
The renewal process, he said, was not completed and he did not realise the pistol had disappeared. Police are now investigating how the firearm left the judge’s home.
Robbery Probe Expanded
Investigators believe the pistol was used during the robbery at Chaiiwali restaurant along General Mathenge Road in Westlands.
The attack, captured on CCTV, showed armed men storming the restaurant and stealing electronic devices from customers.
The footage spread widely online and prompted an extensive investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
A detective involved in the inquiry said the recovered pistol had been identified as the firearm used during the robbery.
“Yes, this weapon was identified as the one used in the July 4, 2026, robbery of the Chaiiwali Café in Westlands,” a detective familiar with the investigation said.
Ballistic Tests Ordered
Further forensic examinations are being carried out to determine whether the pistol was used in other crimes.
Detectives are also searching for other members of the suspected criminal gang believed to have operated in Nairobi, Kiambu and Machakos counties.
Police said investigations remain active and that efforts to dismantle organised armed robbery groups will continue as part of ongoing multi-agency operations.
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