Roadblocks to make comeback

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: Police have announced the return of roadblocks in Nairobi as part of efforts to contain rising crime.

The roadblocks will be mounted at selected areas at random to carry out searches on vehicles, which may be suspected to be carrying criminals and contraband goods and weapons, police said.

Nairobi Head of Police Benson Kibue said the move is part of efforts to contain crime rate and urged motorists to co-operate.

13 divisions

“There will be roadblocks on major routes in all the 13 divisions in the city and all we urge is cooperation from motorists. This is aimed at making them safer especially ahead of the Christmas season,” said Kibue.

He said most of the criminals managed to escape after committing crimes because of the absence of roadblocks.

The move came almost five months after Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo ordered removal of all roadblocks on major roads, especially along the Northern Transport Corridor to ease movement of goods from the port of Mombasa.

Kimaiyo said then he was guided by powers vested in him by the National Police Service Act