In a bizarre case of impersonation, 22-year-old Jacinta Merlin Ouma was arrested in Busia County after being caught posing as a General Service Unit (GSU) officer.
Police apprehended her while she was dressed in full GSU uniform and reportedly carrying an AK-47 rifle.
The arrest was prompted by a tip-off from local residents in Bukhalalire, a village in Butula sub-county.
Authorities were surprised to find her not only in uniform but also in possession of the baby, adding to the complex nature of her arrest and the questions it raised about her intentions and actions.
Ouma, who had been frequenting various police stations across Kenya, from Kisumu to Kiambu, often convinced officers of her legitimacy and even managed to handle official firearms, sometimes borrowing them for photographs.
In court, she admitted to purchasing the GSU attire from a Nairobi black market and claimed she had occasionally borrowed weapons to “enhance” her appearance.
Her actions have raised concerns about lapses in the control of police attire and equipment, especially given that civilians could access such sensitive items with relative ease.
Her case also highlights potential gaps in protocols designed to protect against impersonation, a security risk in itself.
Upon her confession to the charges, the court ordered that she remain in custody for 21 days at Bumala Police Station while investigations continue.
Security officials are now working to understand how she accessed police resources and whether others might be involved in assisting her.
This incident has prompted a call for tighter regulations and scrutiny to prevent such breaches in the future.
