GARISSA: Detectives in Garissa Sub-County have arrested a Ministry of Lands officer in a dramatic operation that uncovered ammunition, military insignia, and a trove of fraudulent land documents across multiple locations.

Acting on a tip-off, officers intercepted Antony Githua Mwangi along the Garissa-Lamu road as he drove a black Toyota Prado, registration number KDQ 876Y.

A preliminary search of the vehicle revealed a suspicious assortment of items: three rounds of 9mm Colt ammunition, six personal cheques worth Sh500,000 each, Kenya Defence Forces badges bearing the rank of Captain, and four mobile phones of various brands.

The operation then moved to Mwangi’s residence in Madogo, where detectives, in the presence of his brother, carried out a thorough search.

They discovered five rounds of 7.62 x 51 ammunition, thirty blank title deeds, a lease certificate, and multiple land-related documents suspected to be linked to fraudulent activity.

Further investigations led the detectives to Mwangi’s properties in Thika and Ruiru, where additional incriminating evidence was found.

Among the items recovered were an original title deed for land in Kajiado, an application for consent from the Lands Control Board in the same county, and a range of other documents allegedly used to facilitate illegal land transfers.

Mwangi, a public officer attached to the Ministry of Lands in Garissa, is currently in police custody as detectives finalize investigations ahead of his arraignment in court.

Authorities believe the suspect may be part of a wider land fraud network and are now extending investigations to identify other possible accomplices.