A multi-agency security team in Kitui County has successfully intercepted a passenger bus along the Thika–Garissa Highway at Kanyonyoo, leading to the recovery of 48 rounds of live ammunition. The operation, which underscores the ongoing efforts to curb illegal arms trafficking in the region, was conducted on a bus identified as a Zafanana Coach operated by Northern Cruz Sacco. The bus was en route from Dadaab to Nairobi when it was stopped for a routine security check.
During the inspection, officers discovered the ammunition cleverly concealed inside pieces of meat packed in a blue woven carrier bag. The bag was placed on the overhead luggage rack serving seats 23, 24, and 25, suggesting an attempt to disguise the illegal cargo among ordinary passenger belongings. Upon closer examination, the officers found a black nylon package hidden within the meat, which contained 48 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition. This calibre is notably used in firearms such as the AK-47, a weapon commonly associated with various armed groups in the region.
Following the discovery, the bus driver, Samuel Ngui Munyithya, and the turnboy, Justus Muatha Kiola, were promptly arrested. The two were unable to provide any information regarding the ownership or intended recipient of the ammunition. They were subsequently taken to Kanyonyoo Police Station, where they remain in custody as detectives intensify investigations into the incident. The bus has also been detained, and the recovered ammunition has been secured as exhibits for further forensic analysis.
This incident is not isolated, as it comes just months after another significant interception at the same location. In May, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations reported the recovery of 116 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition and 19 rounds of G3 ammunition from a different passenger bus travelling from Lamu to Nairobi. Such recoveries highlight the persistent threat posed by the illegal arms trade in the region and the critical role of security agencies in thwarting these activities.
As investigations continue, detectives are focused on tracing the origins and intended destination of the ammunition. The goal is to dismantle any networks involved in the trafficking of illegal arms, which pose a significant threat to national security. The arrest of the two suspects and the seizure of the ammunition mark a significant step in these efforts, as authorities remain vigilant in their mission to ensure public safety and security.
