Mutyambai: Security heightened to curb kidnapping cases

The Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has assured Kenyans that the police have intensified security in the wake of rising cases of children kidnappings.

In his weekly engagement #EngageTheIG with Kenyans on Twitter, Mutyambai also called upon parents and guardians to play their part to minimise these cases, including educating their children on the basics of security measures.

“Security has been heightened, parents are cautioned to take care of their children and also encouraged to educate their children on basic security measures,” Mutyambai said.

He has also asked Kenyans to report any suspicious characters and activities to the police through their hotlines 112,911 or 999.

On the issues of insecurity in some parts of Nairobi County, the IG said that there is an adequate deployment of police officers in areas affected, and surveillance has been heightened, including community policing.

Mutyambai added that an Anti-Mugging team has been deployed within Nairobi CBD, and other major towns and they are also collaborating with NTSA to ensure safety and security within the matatu industry.

The country has witnessed many cases of kidnappings recently, with some of the victims being found killed.

ODM leader Raila Odinga on Monday also called on the police and Judiciary to bring to end cases of senseless murders and disappearances of children and women.

In a statement to newsrooms, the ODM leader said too many children and women have lost their lives at the hands of people who should otherwise be their protectors.

“Children are being plucked from their playgrounds, picked on the way to or from school and places of worship and from the balconies and doorsteps of their parents’ houses and slaughtered by adults,” Raila said.

The matter has also been condemned by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, which has called for action to be taken against the culprits, and additional measures made to protect children.

Last Friday, Unicef-Kenya representative Maniza Zaman said the surging cases of kidnapping and murder of children need urgent attention.

“We need to redouble our efforts to ensure that children are protected wherever they are – at home, in schools, and in public spaces," Zaman said.