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Why police are on 'silent go-slow' amid efforts to address issue

They say they 'can’t use' their weapons for now and it is upon the public to defend themselves.

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by Annah Ndungu

News07 November 2022 - 08:05

In Summary


  • • A number of police officers are now afraid of, among other things, pursuing criminals involved or linked to crime.
  • • This has exposed many Kenyans to dangers of criminals in estates and cities who attack and leave at will.
A police cap.

A series of arrests and prosecutions of police officers linked to various crimes has sparked a "silent go-slow' within the National Police Service.

The Star can report that a number of police officers are now afraid of, among other things, pursuing criminals involved or linked to crime.

They say they “can’t use” their weapons for now and it is upon the public to defend themselves.

This has exposed many Kenyans to dangers of criminals in estates and cities who attack and leave at will.

No arrests are being made and if any, the public do it.

There has been a spike in general crime in parts of the country. Suspected thugs on motorcycles strike at will and rob pedestrians and motorists and escape without being arrested.

In some instances, people are trailed from banks and robbed after withdrawing money.

Police statistics show up to five violent crimes are reported daily in the past few weeks.

Even though police authorities denied claims of a silent go-slow within the service, several officers confirmed they were on a wait and see mode.

Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said they were not aware of the go-slow, adding if there is any, it had not been brought to their attention.

“We are not aware of the said strike. Police are members of disciplined services and are not allowed to go on strike leave alone a go-slow,” he said.

Director General of DCI Mohamed Amin said he is committed to dealing with all manner of crimes without favour and in strict conformity with the provisions of the law.

He said there is increased deployment of undercover detectives in the city as the police takes step to destabilise criminal gangs that regroup after the general election.

He did not address the claims made by some officers on the go-slow.

But some officers at commanding levels said they were aware of a dire situation where some of their colleagues were refusing to act on incidents.

“Whenever they are asked to act or confronted by a situation needing their attention they silently ask that both Internal Affairs Unit and Independent Policing Oversight Authority be sent there. It is sad,” an officer aware of the situation and who asked not to be named said.

The officers have been ranting on various social media platforms in a manner many underrated.

Others have opened platforms where they are complaining of the trend of arresting their colleagues involved in perceived crimes.

They want Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to call a meeting with their seniors to address the issue.

“The CS needs to call a meeting and talk to us. We will raise our issues there but if things remain the way they are we expect a continuous rise in crime.”

An aide to Kindiki said there are plans to hold a conference with stakeholders in the industry to iron out the various issues at hand.

The officers cited the arrest and planned prosecution of nine detectives from the disbanded Special Service Unit over the missing two Indians and their Kenyan drivers as part of the reason there is a go-slow.

Those in custody include Joseph Mwenda Mbaya, David Chepcheng Kipsoi, Stephen Luseno Mutunda, Paul Njogu Murithi and Simon Muhuga Gikonyo.

Others are Chief Inspector Peter Muthee Gachiko and Sergeant Francis Mwendo Ndonye, who are lead commanders of their cars, and Corporal John Mwangi Kamau and Corporal Joseph Mbugua Kamau, who are drivers.

Indians Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan, Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwai, and their taxi driver Nicodemus Mwania have been missing since July 24.

The two Indians are said to have been part of a team that had come to Kenya to join an IT team for President William Ruto to run the election campaigns.

Police plan to charge them with a crime of abduction and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Others said the planned arrest of 11 officers over the Kisumu chaos in 2017 has affected their morale.

DPP Noordin Haji has given the go-ahead to charge 11 police bosses, including a commissioner, with serious crimes over an array of crimes including the death of Samantha Pendo also known as Baby Pendo, in 2017 in Kisumu.

Baby Pendo was a victim of the brutal force that anti-riot police unleashed on demonstrators who protested presidential results, announcing that President Uhuru Kenyatta had won a second-term against ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The officers to face the charges include a commissioner of police, senior superintendent of police, an assistant superintendent, a chief inspector, six inspectors of police, a senior sergeant and one sergeant.

Haji said the attacks were committed by and under the authority of senior national police officers, who apart from the murder of Baby Pendo, committed other offences such as torture, rape and sexual violence.

"The ODPP was of the opinion that the concept of superior/command responsibility must be exploited for the first time in Kenya’s history,” the ODPP said.

Those set to be prosecuted include Titus Yoma-Commissioner of Police and retired county commander, Titus Mutune- Senior Superintendent, General Service Unit in charge of 30 platoons, John Masha-GSU Inspector and platoon commander, Linah Kogey-Inspector and Post Commander, Nyalenda and Benjamin Koima-retired Administration Police Senior Superintendent.

Others are James Rono, Mohamed Guyo, Cyprine Wankio, Mohamed Baa Amin, the station commander, Kondele. Benjamin Loreman- Kenya Prisons Service and Volker Edambo- Inspector in charge of crime in Kisii.

Others said the arrest and prosecution of 10 elite members of GSU is also a major issue in the service.

The GSU officers were on November 4 arrested for shooting and killing four people on June 2, 2022, in Masimba, Kajiado county, during a protest by a mob over increased attacks by wild animals.

An investigation by IPOA found them culpable for the deaths of the four during the clash that also left six other villagers with serious wounds.

The incident happened when the officers attached to the GSU opened fire at the demonstrators on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

Those who died were Duncan Kanari, Letemir Topoika Yionti, Denis Matheka Mutua and Stanley Ntidu Tereu.

The victims were part of demonstrators who were protesting against invasion of their farms by elephants, during which a teacher died after he was trampled on by jumbos.

IPOA took up the matter after the incident was widely reported in the media.

On Friday, November 4, 2022, the officers were arrested and held at Kibra police station, Nairobi, pending arraignment.

This followed a directive by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions after independently reviewing the IPOA investigation file.

“The totality of evidence on record suggests that the GSU officers were culpable for the offence of murder. Additionally, the officers are culpable for causing grievous harm,” the ODPP noted.

The letter to the authority added, “We concur with the authority that the use of force by the GSU officers against the demonstrators was not only unlawful but was also unjustified. Therefore, we direct that the officers be charged accordingly.”

The officers are Police Constables Kasim Nunow, Hoseah Chikara, Mohammed Adan, Wambua Kilonzo, Wesley Kipkorir, Boaz Mogire, John Mwangi and Desmond Musyoka.

Others are Inspector of Police Cornelio Nabwera and Corporal Zakayo Kipterio.

The investigation established that GSU officers attached to the M Company had escorted a cargo belonging to De La Rue Company from Mombasa to Nairobi on June 1.

The officers were travelling back to their base in Mombasa when they encountered the demonstrators.

Investigations further revealed that the officers, who were travelling in two Land Cruisers, fired 40 rounds of ammunition before making it through barricades and driving off to Mombasa.

Seventeen spent cartridges were collected at the scene.

Postmortem examinations showed that each of the fatality was caused by a single bullet wound.  Bullet head and fragments were retrieved from the bodies during the autopsy.


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