Police in Nairobi arrest over 500 people in swoop to check crime

By Cyrus Ombati

NAIROBI, KENYA: More than 500 people were Tuesday night arrested in police swoop in Nairobi aimed at taming rising rate of crime and terrorism at large.

The suspects were arrested from city streets and estates following deployment of more police officers in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Police say the suspects were being interrogated and sorted out as part of efforts to know who the criminals are.

Nairobi police boss Benson Kibue said those arrested included street families. This follows fears of terror attacks and increased cases of mugging.

“We will be conducting the operations even on day time as part of measures to drive away these criminals. We now have extra personnel from GSU and AP,” said Kibue.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku said an additional 500 police officers have been deployed in Nairobi and Mombasa to enhance security and surveillance in the wake of terror threats.

Tuesday, Lenku also ordered all refugees residing outside Kakuma and Dadaab to return to the refugee camps immediately.

He said refugee registration centres in urban (Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi, Isiolo and Nakuru) have also been closed.

Lenku said any refugee found flouting his directive will be arrested and prosecuted.

He said the move is part of the measures they are taking to address the increasing threat of terrorism in the country.

Lenku said some 109 suspects have so far been arrested following the attack on a church in Likoni, Mombasa.