Police officer, his two wives charged with stealing AK-47 rifle

A police officer and two of his wives have been convicted of stealing an AK-47 rifle from the residence of another police constable in Maralal, Samburu County.

Police constable Peter Mutembei and his wives, Joan Kanana and Alice Wanjiru, are said to have committed the offence on the night of  June 4, 2022.

The trio reportedly accessed the quarters of one police constable Lawrence Lekenit at Maralal Police Line before stealing the assault rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition.

They were soon after arrested after Maralal sleuths found them in possession of the stolen gun.

The suspects were presented in court then but were however released on a Ksh.150,000 bond each after denying the charges before Maralal Principal Magistrate James Wanyanga.

On Thursday, the three suspects were however charged with stealing a gun and handling stolen property.

The prosecution was seeking to have the trio charged with another count of burglary but Wanyanga dismissed the request on grounds that there was no proof that the three broke into Lekenit's house.

"Burglary and break-in was not proved. Prosecutors did not present evidence to prove that the room was broken into. So, the charge is dismissed," Wanyanga said in his ruling.

"Stealing was proven as per the evidence before this court. Further, the evidence before court can also prove that the three conspired to steal the gun. In my finding, the offence of burglary is hereby dismissed. But other offences of stealing and conspiracy are proved. The suspects are convicted,"

The trio will be sentenced on February 16.