DCI detectives gunned down two suspects at Kitalakapel in West
Pokot who were found ferrying 1,850 bullets from Uganda.
Lonyang Karen 29, and Kopuonyang Achom 42, had been trailed by detectives from Wednesday.
West Pokot Police Commander Mathews Kuto said DCI officers informed him on Wednesday evening that they had received information that some criminals have been supplying illegal guns.
He said they
were following leads after tipped off that the
suspects planned to transport the bullets through West Pokot.
Kuto said officers went to Kitalakapel and laid an ambush where they killed the two criminals.
"The suspects refused to stop when the police flagged them down on a motorbike. Officers gave chase, and the suspects fired at the detectives. DCI officers killed the two suspects at the scene," he said.
Kuto said other armed suspects dashed into a thicket and escaped.
"Officers found 1,850 bullets in a sack that the suspects were carrying. We are yet to establish how many suspects expects
and the number of guns they had," Kuto said.
He said the bullets were to be sold in West
Pokot and in
neighbouring counties that are
grappling
with insecurity.
"We have been investigating the source of bullets being used by bandits along the border. Police have established that there are many illegal guns in the wrong hands," Ruto said
He said illegal firearms being used by bandits are sneaked in from neighbouring countries.
Kuto appealed to residents to help the police to catch merchants of illegal firearms
trade.