A pistol reported stolen from a police officer attached to a VIP security unit has been recovered at a supermarket in Nairobi’s Central Business District, bringing to an end a week-long search by detectives.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the firearm was recovered on Tuesday morning during an intelligence-driven operation at Naivas Supermarket located at Development House along Moi Avenue.

Investigators discovered the Ceska pistol concealed inside a Carrefour-branded shopping bag that had been left at the supermarket’s luggage storage section.

According to detectives, the weapon had been wrapped in additional carrier bags and hidden among fruits in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.

Crime Scene Investigators who examined the firearm established that it was still inside its holster and had not been damaged.

The magazine contained 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Authorities noted that two rounds were missing from the 15 rounds initially reported to have been in the weapon.

The firearm belonged to Sergeant Amos Kimathi, an Administration Police officer serving in the Security of Government Buildings (SGB) VIP Unit.

He reported the loss of the pistol on May 25 after discovering it was missing while visiting Kingsway Barber Shop and Spa on Mukhtar Daddah Street in the city centre.

As part of the investigation, detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the supermarket.

The recordings allegedly show a masked individual entering the premises on May 28 at around 1:37 p.m., leaving the bag at the luggage holding area and walking away without attracting attention.

The recovered pistol has since been secured and will undergo ballistic examination as investigators seek to establish whether it may have been used in any criminal activity during the period it was missing.

Officers from DCI Central are continuing with investigations and efforts to identify and apprehend the person seen in the CCTV footage.

Authorities have not yet disclosed any arrests in connection with the incident.