Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) apprehended a man accused of impersonating a police officer in Kilimani, Nairobi. The arrest followed a distress call from a casino at Yaya Centre in the early hours of Monday, August 3.
The suspect was found inside a black vehicle, where officers recovered a CZ 75 SP-01 pistol, an empty 9mm magazine, handcuffs, a counterfeit Certificate of Appointment purporting to identify him as a Police Constable, and a fake firearm certificate.
Further investigations led the team to the suspect's residence in Waluku Village, Dagoretti North. There, authorities seized 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition packed in two boxes, adding to the evidence collected during the arrest.
The DCI confirmed the suspect is currently undergoing processing ahead of arraignment as investigations continue to trace the origin of the firearm and ammunition, and to uncover the full scope of his impersonation activities.
Legal Context and Previous Incidents
Police impersonation cases have been increasingly reported, with the latest arrest marking one of the more prominent examples in recent months. Public vigilance was instrumental in alerting authorities to the suspect’s activities.
In a similar case in July last year in Kirinyaga County, a man was arrested for impersonation, and officers recovered various police-related gear including uniforms, boots, and a replica firearm.
Under Kenyan law, unauthorized possession of police uniforms, equipment, or insignia is a criminal offense. Section 324 of the Penal Code mandates up to seven years imprisonment for such offenses. The National Police Service Act also imposes penalties of up to Ksh1 million in fines, 10 years imprisonment, or both for unlawful possession or use of police paraphernalia.
