Police authorities are pursuing individuals suspected of being illegally in possession of teargas canisters and other ammunition, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced.
Speaking in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, following a high-level security and consultative meeting with conservancies, the CS revealed that security agencies are also investigating police officers suspected of colluding with criminals to unlawfully issue them teargas and ammunition, warning that those found culpable will face the full force of the law.
“The Inspector General of Police is investigating whether some civilians are in possession of teargas canisters or whether there are police officers colluding with civilians to unlawfully supply them with the equipment,” he said.
The remarks come against the backdrop of several recent incidents in which political rallies have been disrupted by teargas, with the National Police Service denying involvement.
Police have in the past events attacked opposition events and lobbed teargas canisters which prompted condemnation.
Murkomen warned that criminals could get hold of teargas canisters, noting that some have even accessed more dangerous ammunition, including firearms, through fraudulent means.
“The same way criminals have firearms, we have witnessed instances where teargas has ended up in the wrong hands,” he said.
Murkomen also lauded the recently launched security operation across parts of Isiolo, Samburu, and Laikipia Counties, citing notable progress just two weeks into the crackdown.
“From the Isiolo side alone, we have recovered nearly 28 firearms, and I am pleased to report that we are also making significant recoveries of stolen livestock,” said the CS.
He maintained that the operation will remain in place for as long as necessary to fully liberate the region from banditry and restore lasting peace and stability.
While condoling with the family of a teacher who was killed in Isiolo during an encounter with suspected bandits on Tuesday, the CS described the incident as a familiar pattern of retaliatory attacks by criminals feeling the pressure of ongoing security operations, and vowed that the government would intensify the crackdown to ensure the teacher’s death was not in vain.
“I send my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the teacher. We will stand with them during this difficult time,” he said.
“This is not a new script. In Elgeyo-Marakwet County, when we carried out a similar operation, bandits went on the rampage targeting non-locals, including a priest. The same pattern is emerging in Isiolo County. We are going to intensify operations in Isiolo to ensure that the blood of the teacher does not go in vain,” he added.
On the same matter, following a successful consultative meeting with representatives of conservancies in the region, the CS commended them for their continued support of ongoing security operations and expressed the government’s commitment to formalising the partnership to strengthen collaboration in restoring peace and stability.
“Our objective is to ultimately sign an MoU between the NPS and conservancies on how we can partner to carry out police operations,” he said.
He was accompanied by the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, Regional Commissioner Dr Abdi Hassan, among other senior Government officials.
He was joined by MPs Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Wachira Karani (Laikipia West), and Jane Kagiri (Woman Rep), among other leaders.
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