Plain clothes police unit to take on city muggers

By MWANIKI MUNUHE

The National Police Service has formed a unit of armed plainclothes officers to deal with muggers in Nairobi and its environs. This is part of a raft of changes meant to enhance security.

The undercover team, formed by Inspector General (IG) David Kimaiyo, is made up of more than 150 officers and is already in operation.

Their brief is to deal with the rising cases of mugging in and around the city by gangs walking in groups of between three and ten. According to a report prepared by the service, such muggings are becoming increasingly common in parts of the city.

The officers will work in disguise as hawkers, passengers on public transport vehicles, pedestrians or even visitors to recreational facilities where dating couples and families are known to spend time.

“Though this crime (mugging) is committed in the early hours of the night, of late it has also been happening at around 4:30am when most travellers from up-country alight from public service vehicles,” the report reads.

“Besides mugging, some criminals have also resorted to snatching valuables from motorists and pedestrians during rush hours,” it adds.

The changes are part of the reforms the IG has introduced.

“The National Police Service has taken corrective measures, which include beefing up security in strategic areas, placement of undercover officers and beefing up an anti-mugging team with specially trained and equipped officers,” reads the document. Also put on notice by IG Kimaiyo are drivers who take advantage of the passage of ambulances and fire engines during emergencies to drive out of traffic jams.

Quoting the Traffic Act Cap 403 section 119 (Rule No. 83) priority of Police, Fire Engine and Ambulance, the document says: “Every driver shall upon hearing the sound of any… siren indicating the approach of a police vehicle, ambulance or fire engine, at once give such vehicle right of way, and if necessary pull the vehicle to the near side of the road and stop until (it) has passed.” Matatu drivers are known to take advantage of the openings motorists create for ambulances to illegally force their way of out of traffic.

Also to face crack down are public servants, including county governors, who flash blue lights on their escort vehicles. “Blue is restricted to police, ambulance, traffic (department) cars, Government vehicles, the checks unit and any other vehicle directed by Chief Transport Officer,” reads part of the document. “Amber is restricted to all vehicles of the Presidential Escort Unit. The Traffic Act Section 119 Rule No. 32 (2) states that no light on any motor vehicle, with the exemption of direction indicators, shall be flashing blinking lights.

All police officers should work towards enforcing this legal requirement.” The document, we established, is also meant to provide details that will be used in appraising members of the public on the present security situation. We were not immediately able to confirm when the appraisal will be done.