Security team profiles ex-convicts in war against crime

By STEVE MKAWALE

Nakuru, Kenya: Some 180 people among them 100 former security officers have been put on a police watchlist as the Nakuru County Security Committee moves to curb crime.

Nakuru County Commissioner Mohamed Birik (pictured) said 80 of the profiled individuals were suspected hardcore criminals who are ex-convicts.

“Some of these criminals were released through presidential pardon and therefore the need to keep an eye on them as a preemptive measure to curb crime in the region,” he told The Standard on Saturday yesterday.

Mr Birik explained that the former security officers under surveillance were people with specialised skills and it was important that the government knows what they do on a day to day basis.

“We do not suspect that they have committed any crime but they are people with skills and have served either as police officers or in the military,” said the commissioner who chairs the committee.

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He announced that an Islamic school (madrassa) that was closed last year in Gilgil constituency on suspicion of radicalisation of Muslim youth would not be reopened.

“Al Salaam was teaching radical Islam and it was agreed between Imams and the government that the school be closed down permanently and the students sent home,” Birik said.

He disclosed that mosques in the region were being monitored and all the Imams were in an agreement that radicalisation should not be entertained in places of worship.

The administrator said churches would remain under tight security during worship and each has been allocated at least two armed police officers and two others in plain clothes.

The security committee further announced that they would not license more bars in the region in the next one year in a bid to reduce insecurity.

“The district liquor licensing boards have been directed not to issue more licenses for bar operators in the next one year as we assess the security situation,” said Birik adding that they would revoke licenses for bars operating near schools and within residential areas.

The security committee chairman further announced that they have recovered 10 firearms from criminals and seized fake military identity cards.

He said the Nyumba Kumi Initiative introduced in the county early has helped to curb crime and the 60 groups that have been formed were assisting security personnel identify criminals.

On the poaching menace at Lake Nakuru National Park, the county has formed a special unit comprising of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers, regular and Administration Police to curb the menace.