A cop displays a recovered firearm in Matungulu, Machakos County, on October 21, 2025./GEORGE OWTI
Police in Machakos County have recovered a G3 rifle that was stolen from a police post in Matungulu in August.
Matungulu Deputy County Commissioner Everline Wekesa confirmed that the firearm was found abandoned at Katine village in Tala location on Tuesday, following a tip-off from members of the public.
“We are here as the Matungulu Subcounty Security Committee. Our officers have processed the scene where the G3 rifle was recovered,” Wekesa told reporters at the site, where she was accompanied by the area security team and police officers from the Matungulu Subcounty command.
Wekesa said the rifle, which had been stolen from Kinyui Police Post on August 19, was recovered without its buttstock.
“We have confirmed that the firearm we lost is the one found here. It has been recovered,” she said, adding that investigations were ongoing to arrest the suspect, who remains at large.
She commended residents for their cooperation with law enforcement agencies, urging them to continue sharing information that could help curb crime in the area.
The recovery comes just a day after Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko appealed to the public to assist in locating the missing rifle during Mashujaa Day celebrations at St. Mary’s Primary School in Tala.
“There was a G3 rifle that was stolen here. Please, members of the public, help us to recover it,” Ouko had said during her address.
During the same event, Ouko also outlined key government initiatives being rolled out in Machakos County. She said more than 3.1 million trees had been planted as part of President William Ruto’s national reforestation drive, which targets 15 billion trees by 2032.
She added that 630,000 of those trees had been planted in Matungulu Subcounty alone, crediting National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) for supporting the effort through community tree nurseries.
Ouko also highlighted progress in the war against illicit brew, second-generation alcohol, and drug abuse, calling on residents to report offenders through the toll-free number 1192.
“I urge residents of Matungulu to unite in the war against drugs and substance abuse,” she said.
On development, Ouko revealed that 220 affordable housing units in Machakos were complete and awaiting commissioning by the president. She said several market projects under the government’s economic stimulus programme were 65 percent complete.
She further reported that 55,763 residents are benefitting from the Inua Jamii cash transfer scheme, while 614,816 people have been registered under the Social Health Authority. In addition, 10,000 farmers are accessing subsidised fertiliser through government programmes.
According to Ouko, 150 kilometres of Wi-Fi connectivity have also been installed across the county, linking government offices, public markets, schools, and other institutions.
She assured residents of Matungulu that relief food would be distributed within the week, and urged communities to maintain peace and shun gender-based violence.
“There is no reason anyone should be assaulted or molested because of their gender. Let us love one another and live peacefully,” she said.
