A General Service Unit (GSU) officer lost his firearm during the burial ceremony of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County, triggering an immediate police investigation into the disappearance.
The incident reportedly occurred at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds, where thousands of mourners had gathered to pay their final respects to the late ODM leader.
According to preliminary reports, the officer, who was part of the VIP Protection Unit attached to Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, noticed that his Jericho pistol was missing from its holster while managing the crowd near the VIP area.
It is suspected that the firearm was snatched by a group of unidentified youths who exploited the chaos and heavy congestion during the ceremony, which was attended by high-ranking dignitaries including President William Ruto and senior government officials.
Police sources revealed that the officer was attempting to shield Governor Barasa from an agitated crowd when the weapon was taken. Security personnel immediately began combing the area in search of the pistol, while detectives in Siaya appealed to the public for any information that could aid in its recovery.
“The matter is under investigation, and anyone with credible information leading to the retrieval of the missing firearm should report to the nearest police station,” one senior officer confirmed.
The state funeral of Raila Odinga attracted massive crowds as Kenyans gathered to bid farewell to the influential political leader. Raila’s body was interred at his Opoda farm in Bondo after a four-day mourning program that included body viewings in Nairobi and Kisumu, and a final state ceremony at Nyayo Stadium.
However, the series of memorial events were marred by security and crowd-control challenges. Earlier in Nairobi, three people were confirmed dead and several others injured at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, October 16, after police opened fire and used tear gas to disperse mourners attempting to enter restricted areas.
Despite the disruptions, Raila Odinga’s burial proceeded with full state honours, including a 17-gun salute performed by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in recognition of his lifelong service to the nation.
The investigation into the missing GSU pistol remains ongoing, as authorities work to determine whether the firearm may have fallen into the hands of criminal elements who exploited the emotional and crowded atmosphere at the historic funeral.
