Former Principal Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, John Konchellah, on Tuesday, June 14, lost his firearm in Nairobi under mysterious circumstances.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Kilimani OCPD, Andrew Muturi, confirmed the incident noting that the former PS had been to various places in the Central Business District (CBD) before heading home at night when he realised he had lost the firearm.
Recounting the events, the Kilimani police boss pointed out that Konchellah purchased a vehicle on Tuesday morning before heading for lunch at an entertainment joint in Kilimani.
An undated image of Kilimani Police Station in Nairobi.
The Standard The former government official proceeded to a Nairobi-based club before going home later. On arrival, he realised that he had lost his gun.
OCPD Muturi affirmed that Konchellah’s pistol was loaded with nine rounds of ammunition.
“Yes, investigations are still ongoing in order to locate the pistol,” the police boss stated.
Konchellah reported the matter at Kilimani police station noting that he is a licensed firearm holder for eight years.
“The former PS said he first visited Car and General to purchase a motor vehicle, then he went to have lunch at Golden Spot located in Kilimani area before heading to a club and then later home where he discovered that he did not have his pistol, which was loaded with 9 rounds of ammunition,” Muturi stated.
According to the Firearms Act, 2012, any licensed firearm holder who loses their gun or gets it destroyed ought to report to the nearest police station, failure to which they will be liable to one-year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding Ksh10,000.
Further, if a licensed firearm owner dies, the deceased’s family should inform the police who would surrender it to a firearms bureau.
In case a member of the family seeks to possess the firearm, they would undergo the application procedure.
Konchellah was part of the team that was fired during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reshuffle in 2015. Prior to the role, the former government official was a senior manager at a local bank having served in that position from 1987 to 2012.
After working as the PS, he was appointed the chairman of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in October 2016.
Former East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism PS John Konchellah
Daily Nation ammunition gun
