Police in Bondo, Siaya County, have launched investigations after a firearm allegedly went missing during the state funeral of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga on Sunday.
A report filed at Bondo Police Station indicates that the incident occurred at around 4:30 PM when Constable Benson Kodia Olayo, a General Service Unit (GSU) officer attached to the VIP Protection Unit of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, lost his firearm amid a surge of mourners leaving the venue.
Olayo told police that while escorting Governor Barasa from the funeral ceremony at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), a crowd of rowdy youths surrounded the Governor’s vehicle near the main gate. Amid the commotion, an unknown individual allegedly snatched his Ceska pistol, which was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, before disappearing into the dense crowd.
Officers say the area was overwhelmed by thousands of mourners and onlookers, making immediate pursuit impossible. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Bondo has since taken over the case and is leading efforts to trace both the suspect and the missing weapon.
Authorities have appealed to the public to remain calm and share any information that could help recover the firearm.
