A routine home construction project in Moyale town turned into an archaeological security operation on Wednesday afternoon after a local resident stumbled upon a massive underground weapons cache.

While digging a foundation for a house opposite Moyale Township Senior School, the worker noticed several suspicious metallic objects buried beneath the soil and immediately alerted local authorities.

A team of security officers dispatched to the scene confirmed the resident’s suspicions: the metallic objects were intact, live military rounds. In total, police recovered 4,060 rounds of 8×50mm ammunition.

Investigators believe the subterranean store date back to the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935–1936), likely left behind by invading Italian forces operating along the Kenya-Ethiopia border nearly nine decades ago.

The entire arsenal was safely secured and transferred to the Moyale Police Station armoury, where it will remain pending professional disposal.

While formal investigations into the exact origin of the military hardware remain ongoing, authorities assured the public that the site is secure and poses no threat to local safety.

Police also commended the resident’s quick action, reiterating that anyone who discovers suspected explosive ordnance or weapons should report them immediately rather than handle them.

The extraordinary recovery marks the second major historical discovery in Marsabit County this month.

Just weeks earlier, security and heritage officials launched an investigation after a local herdsman grazing livestock in Mbagasi village, near the Chalbi Desert, discovered a cluster of approximately 50 ancient graves in the Korole area, a site experts believe holds significant historical value for the region.