MACHAKOS, Kenya — Detectives have recovered an AK-47 rifle stolen from a police officer during an armed robbery in Mavoko nine months ago after one of the suspects linked to the weapon was shot dead during a gun battle in Machakos County.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the rifle was recovered after detectives intercepted a suspected gang in Mashokani area of Matungulu Sub-County, along the Koma-Kenol Highway.
According to the DCI, the detectives were acting on intelligence about a gang suspected of terrorising the area when they encountered the suspects travelling in a Toyota Harrier.
The officers reportedly flagged down the vehicle, but the suspects allegedly opened fire instead of surrendering, triggering a shootout.
Detectives returned fire, fatally wounding one of the suspects who was armed with an AK-47.
A second suspect, who was allegedly armed with a pistol, escaped from the scene and was being pursued by detectives.
The rifle recovered from the deceased suspect was loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition.
The DCI said preliminary investigations established that the AK-47 was the same firearm stolen from a police officer during a violent robbery in Mavoko in November 2025.
The recovery potentially closes a nine-month trail surrounding the missing police firearm, which detectives now hope will provide further leads into the activities of the suspected gang.
The firearm was reportedly stolen after three armed men attacked the officer while he was guarding a residence in Athi River.
During the attack, the assailants allegedly shot the officer in the chest and both legs before escaping with his AK-47, which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, as well as his mobile phone.
The recovery of the weapon means investigators can now examine its possible use in other crimes committed since it was stolen.
Detectives also searched the Toyota Harrier used by the suspects and recovered eight mobile phones, four balaclavas, crowbars and torches, according to the DCI.
The items are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation as detectives seek to establish the gang’s activities and identify other people who may have been involved.
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Crime Scene Investigation officers processed the scene following the shootout and collected evidence for further examination.
The body of the deceased suspect was taken to Kangundo Level 4 Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.
The DCI did not immediately identify the deceased suspect.
The second suspect, who allegedly fled while armed with a pistol, remained at large as detectives launched a manhunt.
Investigators are also pursuing leads that could help establish the identity of other members of the suspected gang and determine whether they are connected to other crimes in Machakos and neighbouring areas.
The DCI said detectives were pursuing the wider criminal network as investigations continued.
The recovery of the stolen police rifle provides investigators with a potentially significant piece of evidence in tracing the gang’s activities and determining whether the weapon was used in other armed crimes during the nine months it was missing.
