DCI intercepts bus carrying ammunition, GSU gear to Nairobi
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 3, 2026Police have intercepted a passenger bus carrying ammunition and suspected government stores during a roadblock operation at Kanyonyoo along the Thika-Garissa Highway.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said officers stopped the bus on Sunday, May 3, 2026, as it travelled from Lamu to Nairobi.
According to the agency, a multi-agency security team was carrying out routine checks when officers flagged down the vehicle for inspection.
What started as a normal search turned into a major security operation after officers found a suspicious blue metallic box in the luggage compartment.
When they opened it, police recovered 19 rounds of 7.62x51mm G3 live ammunition, 116 rounds of 7.62x39mm AK-47 live ammunition, two empty AK-47 magazines, and two machetes.
Officers also found items linked to the General Service Unit (GSU), including ceremonial attire, two combat jackets, three jungle green trousers and a red beret.
In a statement, the DCI said the discovery may have prevented a serious threat.
“A multi-agency security team manning a roadblock at Kanyonyoo along the Thika-Garissa Highway has intercepted a passenger bus ferrying a cache of ammunition and government stores, thwarting what could have been a serious security threat,” the agency said.
Investigators believe the metallic box had been booked as a parcel at Mokowe in Lamu County for delivery to Nairobi.
The parcel reportedly had no sender details, a move that has raised fresh questions over who owned the cargo and how it passed through the booking process.
Police arrested the driver and the conductor at the scene.
They were taken to Kanyonyoo Police Station together with the recovered items as detectives began further investigations.
The DCI said officers are now following leads to identify the people behind the consignment and break up the wider network involved.
“Authorities are now pursuing critical leads to unmask the individuals behind the consignment and dismantle the criminal network,” the statement added.
Fresh fears over smuggling
The latest seizure comes weeks after another security operation in Nairobi linked to suspected militant supplies.
In April, police recovered bales of military-style clothing in Eastleigh during a night raid led by a multi-agency team. Detectives said the clothing was suspected to be linked to Al-Shabaab.
At the time, investigators said some of the goods had been tracked from Dhobley near the Kenya-Somalia border, pointing to a possible cross-border supply route.
The latest bus interception is likely to renew concern over the use of public transport and parcel systems to move illegal goods across the country.
Security officers have in recent years stepped up inspections on highways and at transport terminals to stop weapons, contraband and suspicious cargo from reaching major towns.
The DCI has asked members of the public to share information that may help ongoing investigations.
The agency urged Kenyans to report suspicious activity through its toll-free line or WhatsApp tip-off channels.