Activist Okiya Omtatah sues police over 999 line

By Lucianne Limo

An activist has sued the Police Service for failing to provide a toll-free 999 emergency phone number.

Mr Okiya Omtatah wants the court to order the National Police Service (NPS) to provide a toll free 999 emergency line. He has sued the NPS, Attorney General, Independent Oversight Authority, Communication Commission of Kenya, Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution, Yu, Orange, Airtel and Safaricom. He argued that lack of an emergency number amounts to police abdicating their duties to prevent and fight crime. “The lack of toll-free number is an impediment to the efficient and effective day-to-day administration and operations of police service,” he added.

Omtatah told the court when a gang attacked Akobwait village of Teso South District in Busia County, he was forced to call the Inspector General of Police and CID director on their personal telephone lines because the 999 emergency number was defunct.

“Although crime prevention is priority for police, it is not the sole responsibility of officers but of all citizens, “he added

 He said by not having a police emergency response number is a dangerous gap, which undermines disaster preparedness.

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