Police Recover Firearm Stolen from GSU Officer During Raila Odinga’s Burial Rite

Kenya, 26 October 2025 - Police in Kisumu have arrested four suspects and recovered a firearm which they say is the one stolen from a General Service Unit (GSU) officer attached to the VIP protection detail of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) posted on its official X page that the officers in Kisumu East Sub-County nabbed four notorious criminals and recovered a Jericho pistol, after they got a timely tip-off from vigilant members of the public.

“The officers conducted a targeted raid on a house within Manyatta “B” slums of Mbeme area and arrested four suspects,” DCI said.

The suspects are Timothy Odhiambo, David Beckham Odhiambo, Tony Blair Omondi, and Harun Ibrahim.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects led officers to another hideout where officers recovered a Jericho pistol fitted with a magazine loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition.”

DCI said investigations revealed that the recovered firearm is the one stolen from a police officer during the burial of former prime minister.

The suspects are currently in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment.

The GSU officer lost his firearm in the evening during the Final Mass before interment of Odinga at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds in Bondo on 19 October 2025.

According to a police report filed at Bondo Police Station under reference OB 47/19/10/2025 at 5pm, the officer, PC Benson Kodia Olayo, said that at around 4:30pm, a group of rowdy mourners surrounded the governor’s convoy as it exited the venue.

In the melee that ensued, an unidentified youth allegedly snatched his Jericho pistol, serial number 40309458, which was loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition, from its holster before disappearing into the crowd.

Police efforts to trace the suspect and recover the stolen firearm proved futile on that day due to the size and commotion of the gathering, which drew thousands of mourners.

The matter was then been handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Bondo for further investigation.

The incident has since raised fresh concerns over security management at large public gatherings, especially following the massive turnout at Odinga’s funeral.

Bondo is in Siaya County which borders Kisumu, Vihiga, Kakamega, and Busia counties.

Odinga’s passing led to heightened emotional and logistical challenges across Nyanza region where he enjoyed massive support and the whole of Kenya because of his fight for justice, equity and push for democratic reforms.