Skyrocketing wave of crime amid silent police go-slow
The National Police Service (NPS) has been hit by an ongoing silent go-slow by police officers at a time the wave of crime has skyrocketed in Nairobi and other towns across the country.
Notably, daring gun and knife attacks by thugs riding on boda bodas has recorded a sharp rise.
According to sources who spoke to The Informer, the silent boycott by uniformed officers has been prompted by arrests and prosecutions of officers connected to various offences.
According to the officers, they can’t use their rifles under the prevailing circumstances, asking the public to be self-vigilant.
As a result, many Kenyans are now at risk of criminals who attack and flee cities and estates at will.
This comes against the backdrop of the disbandment of the disparaged Special Service Unit (SSU), a defunct specialised formation within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) tasked dealing with contemporary organised crimes across the country.
Reports show that in several regions of the nation, general crime has risen.
Suspected thugs on motorcycles are targeting motorists and pedestrians at random and then flee without being apprehended.
“We don’t feel safe walking in town at night or late evenings.” Gilbert Maina, a trader said.
People have occasionally been followed from banks and robbed after withdrawing funds, according to police records, there have been up to five violent crimes reported per day in recent weeks.
Several officers said they were in a wait-and-see posture, despite police authorities’ denials of accusations of a silent go-slow within the service.
During his oath taking, the Director, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin declared his commitment to prosecuting all offenses impartially and strictly in accordance with the law.
He stated that more undercover detectives are being deployed in the city as the police take action to dismantle criminal organisations that reorganise following the general elections.
However, other officers in positions of commanding authority claimed they were aware of a grave situation in which some of their fellow officers were unwilling to take action on events.
“Whenever they are required to take action or confronted with an issue that requires their attention, they secretly request that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and Internal Affairs Unit be dispatched there. It’s sad,” a police officer who asked to remain anonymous and was aware of the circumstances stated.
The cops have been venting on numerous social media sites in a way that is often overlooked.
Others have started forums where they criticise the practice of detaining their coworkers who are thought to have committed crimes.
They now request that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki call a meeting with their seniors.
“We must treat our people with dignity. We must observe the provisions of the law all the time.” Inspector General of Police designate Japheth Koome said yesterday during a vetting session by a joint parliamentary committee on National Security and Administration.
