On June 5, 2024, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested a police officer and two other suspects in connection with the theft of 522 bags of rice in Kibwezi, Makueni County.
According to the police report, the theft occurred during the night when thieves hijacked a lorry transporting 522 bags of rice from Mombasa to Nairobi.
“DCI Kibwezi has launched an investigation into the theft of 522 bags (each 25kgs) of rice that were stolen on 05/06/2024 at 0230hrs,” the report stated. “The driver of the vehicle, registration number KCY 107U, an Isuzu FRR lorry, was accosted by six men in the Thange area. The driver was later abandoned in the Ngwata area.”
The three suspects arrested in connection with the incident are Francis Mutiso (a police officer), Jude Kandie, and John Musingi.
In addition, officers detained a probox with registration number KDD 396T in relation to the rice theft.
Meanwhile, police are following possible leads to recover the hijacked lorry.
This incident occurred just a few days after two other suspects, including a police officer, were arrested for illegal possession of wildlife trophies in Mwingi, Kitui County.
Hillary Cheruiyot Kipkurui, a police officer attached to CIPU Tseikuru, and Geoffrey Muli were arrested on May 12, 2024, by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers following a tip-off about their illegal activities.
A report filed at Mwingi Police Station indicates that the two were using a Toyota Probox, registration number KDP 694G, to transport 10 pieces of elephant tusks.
