Alarm as City Hall turned into a ‘crime and gun-running center’
Sources familiar with ongoing inquiries intimated that there is great suspicion suggesting that some individuals frequenting City Hall may be involved in suspicious financial transactions including suspected extortion rackets.
Nairobi City Hall, the seat of the county government, has come under heightened scrutiny from security agencies following reports of armed civilians accessing government offices, concerns raised by county staff over safety, and intelligence suggesting possible links between some visitors and suspected illicit financial dealings, The Informer Media Group can authoritatively reveal.
The suspected clandestine dealings at Main City Hall and City Hall Annex has attracted the attention of security agencies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), prompting Nairobi County to tighten controls on the entry and handling of firearms within City Hall.
Through a circular dated May 21, 2026, Ref: No. NCC/CS/ADAS/PAO/ADM/14/143/2026, acting Nairobi County Secretary and Head of County Public Service Godfrey Akumali raised alarm over blatant firearms mishandling and entry into City Hall premises and, in some instances, handled within offices without adherence to established security protocols.
Sources familiar with ongoing inquiries intimated that there is great suspicion suggesting that some individuals frequenting City Hall may be involved in suspicious financial transactions.
Fear is rife that proceeds of crime suspected to originate from extortion rackets or criminal activities could be exchanging hands within county premises or transported to other locations.
Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or announced charges related to those allegations, and investigations remain ongoing.
“This circular serves to formally notify all Nairobi City County staff of heightened security concerns relating to the possession, carrying, and use of firearms within City Hall premises. The Office of the County Secretary and Head of County Public Service continues to receive reports of firearms being brought into and, in some instances, handled within City Hall without full adherence to established security protocols, clearance requirements, and authorisation procedures. These incidents pose serious risks to staff safety, public security, and the orderly functioning of county operations. It is hereby reiterated that City Hall is a high-security government facility with restricted access governing the possession, entry, and handling of weapons,” Akumali said.
He added: “Only duly authorised security personnel are permitted to introduce firearms into the premises – strictly in line with applicable national security laws and county security directives. Any violation of these control measures compromises workplace safety, endangers lives, and exposes the County Government to legal, operational, and reputational liabilities. This directive is further anchored in the provisions of the Firearms Act (Cap. 114, Laws of Kenya),” the circular reads in part.
The circular further disallowed all staff member, visitor, or contractor from gaining entry into City Hall premises while armed without prior formal authorisation from the Firearms Licensing Board (FLB) and Office of the County Secretary and Head of County Public Service.
They were also directed that all those gaining entry into City Hall must undergo mandatory firearm declaration and screening.
“Any lawful firearm holder accessing City Hall must declare the weapon at security points and comply with all inspection, verification, and safe custody procedures in place. Firearms within City Hall shall only be handled by authorised officers of the National Police Service (KPS, APS, DCI) deployed on official duty: Any breach of this directive shall result in immediate disciplinary action and may attract prosecution in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
“All staff are required to promptly report any suspected possession, movements, or use of firearms within City Hall premises to the relevant security authorities for appropriate action,” the circular by Akumali adds in part.
Akumali warned that the incidents pose serious risks to staff safety, public security, and the orderly functioning of county operations.”
Interviews with several county employees revealed that concerns over armed visitors accessing offices of senior county officials have been raised internally on several occasions.
Staff members, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisals, described incidents in which individuals openly carrying firearms were seen entering offices within the county headquarters.
In response to the emerging security concerns, Nairobi County has introduced stricter firearm control measures at City Hall.
The circular bars any staff member, contractor or visitor from entering City Hall while armed unless they have prior authorisation from the Firearms Licensing Board (FLB) and clearance from the Office of the County Secretary and Head of County Public Service.
Under the new measures, lawful firearm holders seeking access to City Hall are required to declare their weapons at security checkpoints and submit to inspection, verification and safe custody procedures.
“Only duly authorised security personnel are permitted to introduce firearms into the premises — strictly in line with applicable national security laws and county security directives,” Akumali said.
The tightening of access controls comes against the backdrop of recent arrests involving a Nairobi county legislator.
Earlier this week, detectives attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations arrested Utawala Member of County Assembly Patrick Karani alongside Stephen Kimathi Karimoni and Stanley Njogu Irungu over alleged unlawful possession of a Glock pistol and ammunition.
According to the DCI, detectives conducted an operation in the Roasters area and recovered a Glock pistol fitted with a magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
“Preliminary investigations reveal this firearm was being held without a valid license,” the DCI said in a statement.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, while the firearm and ammunition have been secured as exhibits pending court proceedings.
Kenyan law prescribes jail terms ranging from seven to 15 years for individuals convicted of unlawful possession of firearms, depending on the nature and circumstances of the offence.
The latest security concerns at City Hall are not unprecedented.
In 2020, following repeated incidents of violence within the Nairobi County Assembly, then Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i ordered the disarmament of individuals operating within the assembly precincts and suspended firearm licences held by persons associated with the institution.
At the time, Matiang’i disclosed that 14 firearms had already been recovered in an exercise aimed at restoring order after violent confrontations among MCAs.
The crackdown followed several incidents, including attempts by a section of MCAs to force their way into the office of then Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi to serve an impeachment notice, resulting in clashes with police officers and injuries to several ward representatives.
Earlier this month, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) sleuths raided the home of the now interdicted Nairobi City County Urban Development and Planning Chief Officer, Patrick Akivaga Analo in Syokimau, Machakos county and recovered Sh65.3million in cash.
The money was reportedly from illicit proceeds he had allegedly received, in a well-coordinated trap to nab the officer who was on the detectives’ radar.
The High Court has since frozen more than Sh16.9 million held in bank accounts belonging to Analo and his wife, Damaris Sindavi Kayugira, as investigations into alleged corruption, abuse of office and unexplained wealth intensify.
