Four cops detained over claims of robbery of necklace and cash in Kitengela

Four police officers, including one attached to the office of the Deputy President, were arrested on Tuesday in a failed robbery incident in Kitengela Town, Kajiado County.

Police said two of the officers are attached to Muungano police station in Machakos County and one to Elwak police station in Mandera County.

A civilian mentioned in the saga managed to escape and is being sought, police said on Thursday.

The civilian is said to have lured a foreigner and roughed him up before their tricks were bursted.

The officers were part of a group that had tricked a Congolese man and tried to steal his diamond made necklace.

The victim said he was tricked and moved from Namanga to Kitengela to sell the chain to a potential buyer.

On reaching Kitengela, he said, he was attacked and handcuffed prompting him to scream, which attracted a mob.

Police said the mob took the said suspects to the local station only to learn they were serving police officers.

They were found to be police officers based in Nairobi and Kitengela. The victim said he lost the necklace which he valued at USD1905, USD3,000 and 300 Euros in the drama.

The officers were put under probe, police said. Police termed the incident as isolated and revealed they will be charged with robbery with violence.

Cases where police are involved in crime have been on the rise amid efforts to solve them.

Police authorities have been insisting the incidents are isolated and that they have mechanisms of addressing them.

Dozens of police officers are facing cases in courts and internally for being involved in crime.

Police spokesman Michael Muchiri said like in any society, one can’t miss having rogue officers.

He added their mechanisms are handling the cases so far reported and encouraged the public to lodge complaints against the police whenever they are affected.