Arrests are not abductions, Masengeli says in NE tour

Acting police boss Gilbert Masengeli has defended police actions in a crackdown on insecurity and drug trafficking in Northeastern.

Police have arrested several gang members in Garissa with knives and other crude weapons believed to be used to threaten, attack and kill people going about their business.

Touring the region on Wednesday alongside DCI boss Mohamed Amin, Masengeli urged security officers to end the crime wave "at all costs".

"Anybody who violates the rules, even if it's my child or brother, should not be spared,” he said.

Speaking at Garissa police station, Masengeli urged the public to differentiate between normal arrests, where suspects are arrested, processed at the police stations and presented before courts of law, and abductions.

He ordered the security apparatus to sustain the crackdown until sanity is resorted.

“The regional security team has to coordinate with all the other stakeholders and ensure that we completely eradicate drugs from our country and borders," he said.

Amin commended security officers working in the region despite the difficult working conditions they encounter on a day-to-day basis.

He encouraged them to remain steadfast in keeping the country safe.

“We started a tour in Mandera then come to Wajir and I must admit we are really impressed by the work that is being done by all officers across the services. The teamwork that is there is really inspiring,” Amin said.

He urged them to continue with the same spirit and forge a strong working relationship with the local community to bring them on board on matters policy.

“Let us also assist officers and other ministries and departments and agencies in the enforcement of law and order in this region,” he said.

Smuggling of contraband goods, drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the country are some of the challenges security officers in the region grapple with.

Garissa has been turned into a conduit for bhang smuggled from Ethiopia to Nairobi, resulting in a high consumption of the drug among the youth.

Masengeli said allowing drugs to come into the country has far-reaching consequences for generations to come.

He warned police officers involved in corruption that stern action will be taken against them if and when they are found to be involved.

The acting IG thanked members of the public for working closely with the security apparatus.

It ensures that the region not only remains safe but any illegal activity that is carried out is reported to the relevant authorities, he said.

In February last year, the government announced plans to reopen the Kenya-Somalia border points in Mandera, Liboi and Kiunga in phases over a 90-day period.

This was put on hold, however, shortly afterwards following a wave of attacks in the region.

Kenya closed all of its official border crossings with Somalia in 2012 in a bid to stop incursions by al Shabaab insurgents operating from the Somali side.

The shutdowns, however, did not stop people from crossing the border illegally or smuggling goods.

During his tour, Masengeli noted that security operations are far apart, leaving some areas uncovered.

The police boss said more security officers are needed in the border areas to deter al Shabaab terrorists from entering into the country.