OCPD defends slain officers’ move to board blast car

By  SOPHIAH MUTHONI

Nairobi, Kenya: A senior police officer has defended two colleagues who died in a car explosion in Pangani , Nairobi, over accusations they entered the suspects’ car illegally.

Police are prohibited by law to enter suspects’ cars by force. However, this has been happening with abandon whenever motorists are found  flouting rules. The conduct of the two was the subject of social media debate, as some Kenyans criticised them awhile others said they were heroes.

The slain officers were identified as Francis Murage and Samuel Cheptuk.

Friday, Starehe-Pangani OCPD Barasa Wabomba said the officers had done their jobs well.  “The officers had to escort the vehicle to the station. If they had searched the car at the point where they stopped it, all four police officers would have died plus the terrorists,” he said.

Under former President Kibaki, the Ministry of Justice circulated information that Kenyans should not allow police to board their private vehicles. Instead police were directed to order motorists to drive to the nearest police station.

Inspector General of Police David Kimayo also defended the officers move to board the vehicle saying this was meant to stop the suspects from fleeing.

“There is no law that prohibits officers not to board a suspect’s vehicle. If they had not done that the terrorists would have driven off,” said Mr Wabomba.