A fresh political and security row has emerged after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna engaged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja over reported discrepancies involving missing teargas canisters and firearms in government armouries.
The Senator raised concerns regarding reports suggesting that some security equipment, including teargas canisters and guns, could not be accounted for in official government stores.
He questioned the integrity of internal inventory controls within the National Police Service and demanded clear explanations on how such sensitive materials could go missing without detection.
Sifuna, who has in recent months taken an active oversight role on matters of security accountability, argued that the alleged lapse poses a serious threat to public safety.
He insisted that proper records must be maintained and that any irregularities must be investigated and made public to restore confidence in the security sector.
In response, IG Kanja defended the operations of the National Police Service, stating that internal audit mechanisms are in place to track all equipment issued and stored within police facilities.
He further noted that any discrepancies raised would be subjected to verification through established administrative and investigative procedures.
The exchange has sparked debate within political and security circles, with some leaders calling for calm and institutional cooperation, while others have supported calls for deeper scrutiny into the management of state security resources.
Security analysts warn that allegations involving missing firearms and crowd-control equipment, if left unresolved, could raise concerns about accountability and potential misuse.
They emphasize the importance of transparency in safeguarding public trust, especially in matters relating to law enforcement agencies.
The matter is expected to attract further parliamentary and public interest as pressure mounts for a detailed audit and possible disclosure of findings regarding the alleged missing equipment.
