Kindiki Wages War Against All Nairobi Thugs

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has moved to immediately take action against the rampant criminals that have been recently terrorizing Nairobi residents.

Speaking during a press briefing on the state of security in the country on Monday, November 14, Kindiki warned those who have been daring the government to go after them that they have listened to them and will hunt them down.

"We have witnessed increasing criminal activity within Nairobi. Those boys who have dared the government and want to tell us that they can take over the city and make it a city of crime, we have heard you and therefore we are coming effective immediately," he said.

As a result, he effected immediate changes to the National Police Service (NPS) command in Nairobi following the spike in criminal attacks.

"We have already started taking measures already to deal with the emerging crime trend in Nairobi. In this regard, the command of the Nairobi city police has changed effective immediately," Kindiki stated.

He announced that the NPS has put in place a multiagency and multidiscipline response to the insecurity problem "to get these our sons and maybe daughters to get them out of our streets and put them where criminals belong".

He added that the government is deploying multifaceted and multiagency responses to the challenge and the problem of banditry, warning that "We are coming to dismantle not only the criminals themselves but also to bring down the entire chain that has been the cattle/livestock rustling industry, the financiers, criminals, spiritual supporters, benefactors and those who purchase stolen livestock from Kenyans."

According to him, the government, in its update on dealing with the banditry menace in the north-Rift region, had located the bandits' hideouts and would launch a strike.

Kindiki also cautioned the leaders against turning the efforts taken by the state in dealing with insecurity into political matters.

"I reiterate the commitment of the government of Kenya to make sure Kenya remains safe.

"We cannot trade off our freedom and security for anything. Some of these criminal activities will soon begin taking a political dimension," he added.

Kindiki's battle cry comes moments after Nairobi Governor Sakaja on Monday, November 14, met with Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to address the uproar caused by the increasing cases of crime and mugging in the capital city.

The meeting which took place at Jogoo House in Nairobi saw the two agree on the following resolutions; operationalising of the Nairobi City County Policing Authority, and the Traffic and Safety Committee; an ultimatum of a one-month notice on youth and gangs involved in crime to return illegal firearms in their possession.

"The governor has committed himself that he is going to make the Nairobi City County Policing Authority operational, as soonest possible, this is anchored in law, in the Police Act and its authority according to the national police act the governor is the chairperson," Koome, who is a few days old in office stated.

He further warned that the thugs will not seek solace behind the governor when caught in the act and that they will face the full force of the law.