Judge Muchelule's Stolen Gun Recovered from Slain Robbery Suspect
Police have made a major breakthrough in a high-profile robbery investigation after recovering a missing Beretta pistol belonging to Court of Appeal Judge Justice Aggrey Muchelule.
The firearm was seized from a suspected criminal killed during a shootout in Joska, Machakos County. This discovery links the weapon directly to an armed robbery at a popular Westlands restaurant earlier this month, raising questions about how it ended up in criminal hands.
The judge reported the pistol missing only after detectives contacted him regarding its recovery. According to police records, Justice Muchelule last physically checked the weapon in October 2025 while planning to renew his license but did not follow through. The gun, identified by its serial number, was used by suspects during the July 4 incident at Chaiiwali restaurant, where masked attackers stole electronics from terrified patrons.
The deceased suspect, Vincent Ochieng, was described as part of a dangerous gang operating across several counties. He was cornered in a residential area and engaged officers in a gun battle before being fatally shot. Alongside the Beretta, police recovered ammunition and mobile phones, providing further leads in the ongoing manhunt for his accomplices. Ballistic tests are underway to determine if the firearm was used in other unsolved crimes.
This case has sparked concerns about security lapses around licensed firearms and the activities of armed criminal networks in the country. Authorities are intensifying efforts to dismantle such groups through multi-agency operations. For the judicial officer, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities even in well-secured homes, while the public awaits updates on how the weapon was stolen in the first place.
