NAIROBI: Police have now asked National Authority for Campaign against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse (NACADA) chairman John Mututho to name senior police officers who are protesting criminal gangs involved in drug business at the University of Nairobi.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said the claims were unsubstantiated and told Mututho to visit nearest police station and name the said officers for action.
"We therefore wish to invite Mr Mututho to avail to the nearest police station the names of the senior officers he alleges protect the criminal gangs for action," said Boinnet.
He was reacting to claims by Mututho that unrest at the university which led to its closure on Tuesday is centered on a cartel out to control the sale of drugs.
He claimed the gangs operating at the university enjoy the protection of senior police officers.
But Boinnet said the allegations are unacceptable and the police authorities take great exception to the reckless statements that are not based on facts but are clearly aimed at tarnishing the name of police service for reasons unknown to them.
The police boss said they never and shall never condone unethical or criminal conduct on the part of any officer of whatever rank.
"Similarly, we call on anyone who may have information regarding misconduct on the part of any police officer to contact our internal affairs unit at police headquarters or Independent Policing Oversight authority for action."
Mututho claimed drugs sale at the university is rife and those involved are well-known and that group of 20 notorious students operate from one of the hostels there.
But vice chancellor Peter Mbithi denied the claim saying: "While we cannot say there are no drugs, it is not to the level they are being thrown around."
He said the university is preparing a policy to fight drug abuse.
Mututho said the gang operates inside and outside the university and allegedly enjoys protection from senior police officers.
"The police should do their work and free the many students who will be driven into drugs."
He added he had previously raised the issue with government officers but no action was taken.
The university was Tuesday closed indefinitely following students' protests over their union elections.
A meeting of Senate agreed to close all the campuses and ordered the students to vacate the campuses.
The university has since said no student was raped in the chaos contrary to claims by some.
The news of the closure caught some students off guard forcing some to burn their hostels.
Mike Jacobs contested the election results that put Babu Owino ahead of him.
