State deploys more police to curb City’s crime wave
The government on Wednesday deployed 500 extra police in Nairobi and Mombasa in the wake of rising crime and terrorist attacks.
The deployment, announced by Internal Security cabinet secretary Joseph ole Lenku, comes moments after 500 people were arrested in a police swoop in the city centre and estates.
Those arrested are expected to be questioned in connection to mugging and criminal activities.
“We have launched a major swoop where we expect to arrest criminals in the city in order to reduce crime,” Nairobi County Deputy Police Commandant Moses Ombati said.
Mr Ombati said additional police officers from the General Service Unit, the Administration Police and the Regular police have been deployed in the city.
He also said the police are working closely with city residents and businessmen to nub criminals especially in the wake of terror threats.
“We want to emphasize that the public needs to be aware of whoever they have as a neighbors. It can really help us all in combating crime” Mr Ombati said.
The swoop was part of resolutions agreed on by security chiefs at a meeting on Tuesday.
Crime in the city has escalated in the recent few days with thugs targeting high end estates and business premises.
The enhanced security also comes after four empty ammunition boxes were found at the Junction Mall, on Ngong Road on Monday.
Police found the boxes at the basement of the mall near a supermarket’s dumpsite.
Police are yet to establish where the boxes had come from or their owners. Each box is supposed to carry 50 rounds of ammunition.