A police officer based at Kitale Police Station in Trans Nzoia County is being investigated after reportedly surrendering his firearm to a man masquerading as a newly transferred officer, resulting in the disappearance of a rifle and ammunition.

An occurrence book (OB) report seen by TV47 Digital indicates that the incident occurred on Tuesday, May 19 at around 9:30pm, when a man dressed in a police raincoat arrived at the station’s main gate and claimed he had just been transferred from Eldoret Police Station.

The suspect is said to have approached the station and spoken to the night guard, PC Ishmael Kimutai — in the presence of PC Cornelius Kiplimo and Cpl Jeremiah Rotich — who was on duty, claiming he was searching for accommodation within the police lines.

Following a brief interaction, the police say the suspect requested to be directed to a place where he could buy food, prompting PC Kimutai to escort him to a nearby hotel.

According to the OB report, the suspect allegedly asked PC Kimutai to help him carry his Stryer rifle, serial number 3177302, which was loaded with 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition, as they walked toward the shops.

Police said the officer handed over the firearm moments before the suspect jumped onto a waiting motorcycle and sped off toward Kitale Town.

The report further states that the officer neither raised an alarm immediately nor informed the officer in charge, only making a phone call after the suspect had already escaped.

Police said the OCS later deployed a team to pursue and recover the rifle, while the three officers who had been manning the gate, Cpl Rotich, PC Kimutai, and PC Kiplimo, were detained pending investigations.