Police not involved in abductions, says Masengeli

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli on Wednesday exonerated police officers from allegations of involvement in forceful disappearances in the North Eastern region.

Speaking in Garissa town after his three-day tour of North Eastern Kenya, the Acting IG stated that police officers follow the law when arresting suspects, who are later presented before the courts.

"We respect human rights. Police do not abduct; they arrest suspects," he claimed.

His comments follow a public outcry over reports of missing persons, with many alleging that security agencies were behind the disappearances in the region.

The Acting IG, who had been found guilty of disobeying court orders by High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi in a case surrounding the disappearance of three people in Kitengela, reiterated the need for the public to differentiate between lawful arrests and abductions by rogue elements.

When asked why he failed to honour six court summons related to the Kitengela case, Masengeli declined to comment, saying he could not discuss matters that were before the court.

Acting IG Gilbert Masengeli, Governor Nathif Jama and DCI boss Mohamed Amin.

Masengeli, who was accompanied by the Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mohamed Amin, the head of the Administration Police Border Patrol Unit, James Kamau, and the Director of the Anti-Terror Police Unit, Said Kiprotich, praised the residents of North Eastern for cooperating with security personnel in the fight against terrorism.

"During my visit to Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa, I have seen that the residents in this region is very supportive of efforts to end terror activities. The situation on the ground is promising, and the few remaining incidents of terror attacks will soon be dealt with," he said.

Masengeli also warned that the government would not tolerate the rise of teen gangs harassing residents in Garissa town. He revealed that several arrests had been made, and police were pursuing more suspects involved in a recent surge of violent robberies in the area.

The top security officials, led by Masengeli, toured Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa for a three-day security assessment.

They engaged with county security teams and local governments to address security challenges in the region and strengthen coordination among law enforcement agencies and local stakeholders.