Judge Muchelule records statement as police probe missing gun used in Westlands robbery

Family members and domestic staff at the judge's residence have also been questioned as investigators seek to establish how the pistol vanished from a locked safe before surfacing in the hands of an alleged criminal.

Police investigating the disappearance of a Beretta pistol belonging to Justice Muchelule have questioned six people in connection with the case.

Justice Muchelule, members of his family and domestic staff have all recorded statements with detectives following the recovery of the firearm from slain suspected armed robber Vincent Ochieng.

In his statement to police, Justice Muchelule said he only discovered the pistol was missing on Tuesday after receiving a call from officers who had recovered it following a shootout with Ochieng in Joska, Machakos County.

The judge told investigators he had last checked on the firearm in October while preparing to renew his firearm licence but was unable to complete the process due to work commitments.

Questions have since emerged over the delay in reporting the disappearance of the firearm, which the judge is reported to have owned for more than 10 years.

Citizen TV has established that civilian firearm holders receive annual text message reminders from the Firearms Licensing Board to renew their firearm licences.

Those who fail to renew their licences are required to pay a penalty of Ksh.500 per day and risk having their licences permanently revoked.

Under the Firearms Act, civilian firearm holders are required to store their weapons in a secure metal box or safe.

The law further requires the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) to inspect the storage facility before submitting a compliance report to the Firearms Licensing Board.

In the event a firearm is lost, the owner is required by law to report the loss immediately to the nearest police station.

Failure to report the loss is an offence punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, a fine not exceeding Ksh.10,000, or both.

The process of acquiring a firearm in Kenya begins with an application submitted through the Officer Commanding Station in the applicant's area.

The application undergoes a rigorous vetting process designed to assess the applicant's suitability and security profile.

It is first reviewed at the local police station, where officers compile a report and make recommendations before forwarding it to the sub-county level for further scrutiny by a multi-agency team comprising the National Police Service, Administration Police, National Government Administration Officers and intelligence personnel.

The application is then forwarded to the regional level before being referred to the National Intelligence Service for comprehensive background checks.

Once cleared by the National Intelligence Service, the application is submitted to the Firearms Licensing Board, which has the final authority to approve or reject the issuance of a firearm certificate.

The entire process of acquiring a firearm in Kenya can take anywhere between one month and three years.

Applicants are also required to provide a medical assessment confirming they are mentally and physically fit to possess a firearm.

Authorities further assess an applicant's reasons for seeking firearm ownership, with occupation, business interests and financial standing forming a critical part of the vetting process.

Supporting documents, including bank statements and other financial records, are also reviewed before a firearm certificate can be issued.