Police reforms group call for action against criminal police officers following Citizen Tv exposé

The Police Reforms Working Group(PRWG-K) have raised the alarm over criminality within the security sector.

This comes after a documentary was aired on Citizen TV on April 18,2021 christened “Guns Galore” which showed how it is very easy to access everything connected to the police.

In a press statement, the group said that the exposé revealed how rogue police officers promote crime by hiring their police operating gears: guns, uniforms,
bulletproof vests, and handcuffs to criminals for as low as Ksh 1000.

“The Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG-K) strongly condemns these criminal
activities within the security sector, which undoubtedly degrade safety and security
across the country,” read the statement.

“Indeed, according to various reports by the Internal Affairs Unit and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority continue to reveal police involvement in criminal activities.”

Therefore, the group has called upon the Administration and National Security Committee of the National Assembly to conduct a public inquiry into the matter of police criminality highlighted in the expose.

Further, the Internal Affairs Unit has been called on to immediately conduct thorough and impartial investigations of the alleged police misconduct with a view of bringing the culprits to book.

“The Inspector-General of Police to conduct an independent national audit of
police armoury system of movement of firearms and ammunition within the
Service,” it stated.

Additionally, the National Council of NGOs has also called for a thorough investigation into the matter by the police service and the DCI to smoke out criminal elements and take necessary actions so as to avoid those tainting the respected national police service.

The council’s chairperson, Stephen K. Cheboi, said in a statement that relevant security agencies ought to provide security for journalists involved in risky work.

Millicent Omanga, nominated senator, also asked for an explanation from the CS of Interior Rt. Hon Fred Matiang’i and the Inspector General of police Rt Hon Hillary Mutyambai.

“Inspector General of police Hillary Mutyambai and Interior CS Fred Matiangi owe Kenyans an explanation. This is a matter they can’t just sweep under the carpet. #gunsgalore” read the tweet.