Officers face President Uhuru escort car charges
The presidential escort car that was stolen in Nairobi sits at a parking lot in Kampala. The BMW was handed over to the Kenyan Government. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT |
What you need to know:
- Sources investigating the theft questioned how Inspector David Machui, the senior police officer who was in possession of the car at the time of the theft, was allowed to drive home with it when procedures dictate that government vehicles are parked at the nearest police station or DC’s, DO’s or Chief’s office.
- The detectives also questioned how the officers to whom the theft was reported failed to intercept the vehicle despite monitoring its tracking system between Nairobi and Nakuru when it went off.
Senior officers could face disciplinary action over the theft of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s escort car, Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo warned Thursday.
Mr Kimaiyo said investigations were under way to establish who was responsible for the theft of the BMW recovered in Kampala on Tuesday.
In an interview with the Nation, Mr Kimaiyo said the investigations would target the criminals as well as any government official who may have erred.
He said: “There are many areas we are investigating. Investigations just don’t end like that. We have to deal with the criminal and whoever was in charge of the vehicle, administratively.”
SERIOUS LAPSES
The police chief spoke as details emerged of serious lapses in the handling of government vehicles that could have resulted in the theft of the car last week.
Sources investigating the theft questioned how Inspector David Machui, the senior police officer who was in possession of the car at the time of the theft, was allowed to drive home with it when procedures dictate that government vehicles are parked at the nearest police station or DC’s, DO’s or Chief’s office.
OFFICERS TO BE DEALT WITH
The detectives also questioned how the officers to whom the theft was reported failed to intercept the vehicle despite monitoring its tracking system between Nairobi and Nakuru when it went off.
Mr Kimaiyo warned that officers found to have flouted procedures regarding the handling of government vehicles would be dealt with.
Without divulging further details, the police chief said there were procedures to be followed when handling government vehicles.
Another officer told the Nation that official government drivers, after dropping off VIPs, are required to surrender the vehicles at the nearest police station or any safe government facility.
However, most do not do so and instead drive the vehicles to their homes with the full knowledge of senior officials.
CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION
Mr Kimaiyo confirmed that Ugandan authorities had handed over the vehicle to the Kenya Government and stated that at no time was the vehicle detained by Ugandans.
“There was nothing like restriction of movement, and, besides, nobody else was claiming the vehicle for it to be detained. That did not arise,” he stated.
A source also told the Nation that the vehicle was bought for the police and attached to Vigilance House, the Kenya Police headquarters, but was on many occasions deployed to VIP functions.
This contradicted an earlier statement by a top official at the President's office, who had stated that the vehicle belonged to State House but was not part of the presidential fleet.
