Court gravel
Four individuals arrested in Nairobi with a cache of weapons will remain in custody for four more days, after a magistrate granted police additional time to pursue ongoing investigations.
The suspects were found in a red Audi parked along Kenyatta Avenue — an area noted for criminal activity.
According to police, the vehicle drew suspicion due to its heavily tinted windows and proximity to a sensitive security zone within the city.
Officers stopped the vehicle and ordered the occupants to alight before conducting a search.
During the operation, they recovered several weapons and electronic devices.
Items seized included seven mobile phones, a Glock pistol, a revolver, an AK-47 rifle, a combat knife, rubber bullets, and a set of keys for a Toyota Vitz.
The suspects were taken to Central police station for questioning.
In court documents filed at the Chief Magistrate’s Court, the prosecution claimed the individuals may be part of a wider syndicate engaged in violent crime and the trafficking of illegal firearms.
Authorities requested a 14-day extension of detention to allow for ballistic analysis of the weapons, cyber forensic examination of the phones, and efforts to trace the origin and ownership of the firearms.
“The suspects are believed to have been involved in other criminal activities. Intelligence indicates that some of the weapons could have been used in past incidents,” said Corporal Muveli in his affidavit.
The prosecution also highlighted the need to determine any links between the suspects and known criminal groups, and to identify possible hidden stashes of illegal weapons at locations connected to the accused.
Through their defence counsel, the suspects opposed the request, citing their roles as parents to young children and as employed persons, arguing that extended detention could jeopardise their jobs and family responsibilities.
Despite these arguments, the magistrate granted the prosecution’s request for a four-day extension.
“The long weekend will be sufficient to enable the investigating officer to complete searches of the respondents’ residences and conduct the necessary forensic and ballistic examinations as the matter proceeds,” ruled the magistrate.
The case is scheduled for mention on 11 June in Court 10 for further directions.
