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The government has prepared some elaborate festive season security operations plans and activated multi-agency command centres in all counties.

Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo yesterday said road accidents, terror, general crime and illicit brews were on top of their agenda. Already, officers have been directed to put measures to curb the vice of reckless driving.

To ensure more boots on the ground, the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome also yesterday ordered all police officers on leave to resume work immediately in a bid to enhance security in the country.

Both the PS and the IG urged all road users to observe traffic rules noting that 16 people had already lost their lives in the past week. “To enhance police visibility and security in the country, we have also directed all officers who are currently on leave to resume duty with immediate effect,” the IG said.

Crackdown on roads

The police boss appealed to pedestrians, cyclists, boda boda riders, passengers, and drivers to adhere to traffic rules to curb accidents.

Currently, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are conducting a crackdown to ensure that sanity prevails on the roads.

“The National Police Service has no room for corrupt officers. My office remains open to the director EACC for collaboration in the fight against corruption,” IG Koome said. The PS said elaborate measures had also been put in place to comprehensively address the dynamic and complex nature of terrorism.

“We also established the Regional Counterterrorism Training Center at Kanyonyoo Border Police Unit in Kitui that offers a wide range of courses and advanced tactical operations and intended to also bring together other security agencies from the neighboring countries, to deliver relevant fundamentals of joint operation consultation,” Dr Omollo said.

IG Koome also called for collective responsibility by all road users adding that most accidents were as result of non-compliance with traffic regulations and rules such as operating defective vehicles, failure to use safely belts by commuters, speeding, driver fatigue, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and dangerous overtaking.

Potential criminal activities

Kenyans have also been asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to tame any potential criminal activity.

“I wish to call upon members of the public to remain vigilant even as you celebrate, and report any crime or suspicious activities, to the nearest police station or through the police hotline numbers 999, 112, 911, and 0800 722 203,” the IG said.

PS Omollo warned Kenyans against consumption and trade of illicit brews and third generation liquor, saying they continue to be a huge area of concern that continues to impact our workforce, especially our valued blue-collar workers.

“A total of 8,463 persons were arrested over the year and over 1.7 million litres netted,” he said.
The PS revealed Migori, Nairobi and Nakuru featured high in the domestic and gender-based violence index with 7,146 cases reported in the year.

“Women in blue collar jobs are routinely affected,” the PS said.

The PS said it was disheartening to see a significant number of youth involved in criminal activities with 9,369 arrests for drug-related offenses and 1,113 suspects nabbed in organized criminal gangs.

Another 198 juveniles were arrested for student unrest and fire incidences in learning institutions.