Over 600 picked up in Mombasa

More than 650 people were arrested over the Easter weekend in Mombasa as police intensified the search for illegal immigrants and criminals.

Some 188 people were set free after their identities were confirmed, said County Police Commander Robert Kitur.

However 472 suspects will Tuesday appear in court on charges of, among others, being in the country illegally.

Mr Kitur said random inspections were conducted on motorists and travellers at various roadblocks in the region.

Remain in the camps

“Some of the people we have arrested were intercepted at these check points. These will continue until we do away with aliens and all illegal migrants,” Mr Kitur said.

He urged refugees to respect their status and remain in the camps as they risked arrest and repatriation if they were found in the streets during police swoops.

He asked residents to cooperate with officers carrying out house-to-house patrols. He told the residents to insist that the police identify themselves.

“All officers who come to your doors must be able to show their identity cards before they gain entry into your homes.

We have had reports of people masquerading as police officers in Likoni area who end up robbing residents, so be warned,” he said.

He called on the public to arrest any individual masquerading as a police officer without proper identification.

He also warned officers who are seeking bribes from residents, saying that they will also face the law.