A bodyguard attached to Moiben Member of Parliament Phylis Bartoo has been arrested after he reportedly misplaced his firearm while partying at a popular nightclub in Eldoret.
Confirming the incident, Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi said the officer is being held in custody as investigations are carried out to determine why he was in possession of the weapon during late-night hours and whether he had clearance to carry it into a social setting.
“We are holding the officer in custody to establish why he had the firearm at that odd hour and under whose authorisation,” Mwanthi explained.
Reports indicate that the officer lost a government-issued Beretta pistol along with 15 rounds of ammunition on Sunday night while out drinking with friends at a club in Sukunanga.
The club, according to locals, is owned by a well-known legislator and is frequented by high-profile guests.
The matter has raised concern not just in Eldoret but across the country, given the sensitive nature of the missing firearm. Security analysts have repeatedly warned that such weapons, once lost, can easily end up in the wrong hands, fueling crime and insecurity.
This incident adds to a worrying trend, as several cases of police officers losing firearms have been reported in recent months.
Experts have described this as a lapse in discipline and accountability within the force, urging authorities to enforce stricter guidelines on how officers handle government-issued weapons.
Residents of Eldoret have also voiced their frustration, questioning why an officer assigned to guard an MP would carry a pistol into a nightclub.
Some locals have gone as far as demanding that senior officers be held accountable for failing to enforce clear rules on firearm handling.
Meanwhile, police in Eldoret have launched a massive search operation for the missing pistol, even stepping up patrols in the area to prevent any potential misuse of the weapon.
Authorities say disciplinary action will be taken against the officer if found guilty of negligence, as the case highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring responsible firearm management among security personnel.
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