Coast police bosses moved in shake up

Some police chiefs in Coast region have been transferred in a mini shake up.

Outgoing Lamu East police boss Samuel Obara and his Lamu West counterpart Amos Cheboi have both been moved to Police Headquarters in Nairobi. Mr Obara has been replaced by Nyagah Kioi while Julius Kimani replaces Mr Cheboi.

Outgoing Kilifi County police commander James Kithuka has been moved to Vigilance House and will be replaced by Joseph Nthenge from the General Service Unit. Outgoing Bungoma East police boss Willy Simba has been moved to Likoni in the same capacity.

Mr Simba replaces Robert Muriithi who moves to Kiganjo Police College as an adjutant.

Wundanyi police boss Joachim Mecha was moved to Bungoma East in the same capacity, while Jasper Ombati, who has been on a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, takes over in Bungoma West.

The affected areas have had security challenges that have left dozens dead and others displaced. Likoni is among the affected areas in which gunmen have been attacking and killing people almost at will.

In Lamu, a dusk to dawn curfew is still in place following persistent attacks from suspected Al-Shabaab militants. Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said the 6.30pm to 6.30am curfew will run until August 20.

Meanwhile, over 40 Kenya Police Reservists who surrendered their guns to police after fearing they will be attacked and robbed by militants terrorising residents of Lamu and Tana River counties have demanded to be issued with G3 rifles before they return to work.

The weapons have since been returned to Nairobi.