By Joshua Cheloti

A tenant that was occupying a house in Kilimani, Nairobi, in which multiple weapons were discovered by police officers early this week, has been arraigned before Kahawa Law Courts in Kiambu.

The tenant, Ken Lugwili, who the police have identified as a licensed firearm dealer appeared before Chief Magistrate Diana Mochache on Friday, June 24, 2022.

He is accused of illegal possession of 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition that were discovered by the police who had accompanied the landlord that forcefully gain entry into his house over unpaid rent.

While before the court, the prosecution asked that the suspect be detained for more time, to allow them to conclude their investigations.

The court however dismissed the request to allow police to hold Lugwili for five more days.

Magistrate Mochache, in her ruling, said the prosecution had not demonstrated how the accused would interfere with forensic investigations.

She released the licensed firearm dealer on a Ksh.300,000 cash bail but directed that he avails himself regularly to the polic officer, whenever required.

“He shall report to the Investigating Officer as and when directed and not more than twice a week,” the court directed.

Lugwili had been arrested by Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) detectives on Wednesday after the lethal weapons were discovered in his house.

Earlier, the police had given him 24 hours to avail himself to the police.

He was first arraigned before the court on Thursday but did not take a plea as the prosecution filed an application seeking to detain him for five more days.

The suspects’ lawyers however opposed the request saying his client was not a flight risk and has cooperated with the police.

Among further investigations that the police want to conduct before formally charging the suspect is to ascertain whether he is a licensed civilian firearm holder.

The police also want to find out if the suspect’s two companies – SILKEN security firm and VIC Technology Limited are licensed to deal in firearms.

The mention of the case has been set for July 7, 2022.