IMLU raises concerns over increased police involvement in crime
The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) has called upon the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to take radical transformation of the police service over increased criminal activities involving officers.
Through a statement, the unit’s Executive Director Peter Kiama has today said that in the last few months several police officers have been involved in armed robbery, extra-judicial killings and extortion contrary to their basic duty of preventing, detecting and investigating crime.
He said the systemic issues range from recruitment, training and command responsibility within the National Police Service.
“It is the reason that action must be taken on the responsible commanders for abdicating their duties for ensuring that they are able to identify and take action against rogue officers,” he said.
The unit noted the increased use of police equipment like guns, handcuffs, vehicles and uniforms in committing crimes putting into question the management of police stores, armoury and gun movement.
Kiama cited a recent incident where some police officers attached at Langata police station were last week arrested on allegations of robbery with violence, and the alleged defilement of a 16-year-old girl by an officer attached at Mea police station in Meru.
In another case at Butula police station in Busia a police officer was arrested for allegedly dumping the Occurrence Book (OB), into a pit latrine to beat justice.
IMLU’s recent report documented between January to December 2021, on the state of the nation, recorded 210 cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment and punishment.
