NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 17 – Provincial Commissioners and their newly appointed deputies have put on the spotlight over the increased rate of crime in the country.
Internal Security Professor George Saitoti warned the provincial administrators that they risked losing their jobs if they failed to play active roles in reducing soaring crime.
The minister said he was particularly concerned following anxiety in the Kenyan capital, where a high number of armed crime, carjackings and murder cases are reported every day.
"Even in the provinces, there is increased insecurity. We have PCs who have to answer that. And that of course, implies the senior deputies provincial commissioners in charge of a region," he said.
"If we have this increased insecurity and problems of utilisation of resources you will have to answer, just as the District Commissioners. It is no longer going to be business as usual," he said on Friday at the inauguration of newly appointed PCs and their deputies at Harambee House.
The Minister revealed that his office was disturbed by numerous complaints filed on a daily basis about increased crime in the country.
"I think it is no secret that there are more complains coming up now regarding increased crime, especially here in Nairobi," he said.
He added: "The Provincial Administration have a very vital role to play to compliment that of the police because PCs are in charge of security committees. We need to ask for accountability."
He urged the Administration Police Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua to work closely with the PCs to eradicate crime in the country.
Lately, there have been a high number of cases of armed crime which has left dozens of people dead including police officers.
On Wednesday night, a police man was shot dead and his colleague seriously wounded in one of the most daring attacks in Nairobi.
The attack occurred on Desai Road at a gate leading to residential flats occupied by Flying Squad officers.
Witnesses told police the officers were shot by gunmen who appeared to have either laid in wait for them or had trailed their vehicle.
"It appears they were trailed. These (gunmen) are people who knew them well because witnesses have told us they heard them asking if they were Flying Squad officers," the Head of the Special Crime Prevention Unit (SCPU) Mr Richard Katola said.
Only last month, three Flying Squad officers were gunned down while on patrol at a fuel station in Athi River.
The slain officers’ AK47 rifles were taken away in both incidences.
Prominent personalities including businessmen, top government officials and celebrities have lately fallen victims of violent armed crime in town.
They include former Youth and Sports Minister the late Kinuthia Murugu who was shot on Muringa road in Kilimani, former Kenyatta University lecturer Prof Peter Kenya who was gunned down in Githurai estate and Khwisero MP Evans Bulimo Akula and who was carjacked on Raphta Road in Westlands but escaped unharmed.
Others are Justice Assistant Minister William Cheptumo whose house in Lang’ata was raided and property and money stolen two weeks ago among others.
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