Now posh estates targets of crackdown

Nairobi County Police Commander Benson Kibue outside a compound in Runda on November 17, 2013. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | FILE

What you need to know:

  • The operation, aimed at weeding out terrorists, illegal immigrants and other criminals, now targets Runda, Kileleshwa, Karen and Muthaiga, among other posh estates in the city and its environs
  • Nairobi County police commander Benson Kibue said that the operation did not target nor was it limited to specific areas or particular ethnic communities

A security meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday resolved to extend police swoops to upmarket neighbourhoods.

The operation, aimed at weeding out terrorists, illegal immigrants and other criminals, now targets Runda, Kileleshwa, Karen and Muthaiga, among other posh estates in the city and its environs.

Police reports indicate that wealthy foreigners were residing in these estates that were hitherto not targets of such operations.

Nairobi County police commander Benson Kibue, who chaired the meeting, said that the operation did not target nor was it limited to specific areas or particular ethnic communities.

“The government has made it quite clear that we do not target any particular group or communities. We are targeting criminals and suspected terrorists,” Mr Kibue said.

Police have also warned those hosting illegal foreigners that they would be arrested and prosecuted.

Mr Kibue said no one would be spared including Kenyans who either do not have authentic identification documents.

“We have enough officers to carry out simultaneous operations in the city,” he said.

Since the operation began, the city has seen a substantial decrease in criminal activities, according to police records.

The meeting was attended by all divisional police commanders in Nairobi.