Tight security ahead of police pass out parade in Nairobi over terror threats

Security was Monday upscaled in parts of Nairobi ahead of the planned pass out parade of new Administration Police Service personnel.

President Uhuru Kenyatta would be the chief guest at the National Police Service College Embakasi ‘A’ Campus (Administration Police).

As part of efforts to ensure the security agents were on top of things, relatives of those graduating and members of the public were banned from the event.

The few invited guests were thoroughly screened as they walked past security barriers.

These are part of measures put in place following heightened threats of terror attacks.

Police headquarters issued a directive earlier on and said all officers who intend to attend the function must also be in full uniform.

“Staff and other officials, who would wish to attend must wear their respective working dress. This order is among measures put in place to enhance security in the light of prevailing threats of terrorist attack to both National Police College Embakasi ‘A’ and ‘B’ campuses,” the directive reads in part.

The officers there were told no visitor will be allowed in the college on the eve of passing out and that the order took effect from November 24.

Instead, the public was asked to watch the event on national television.

The 2,610 recruits consisting of 2,215 men and 395 women will be a major boost to the existing strength of the National Police Service, Inspector General of police Hilary Mutyambai said.

"The revised training curriculum forms a great basis of professionalism. We have trained them to become people-centred police officers," noted the IG.

This comes in the wake of heightened police operations against terror threats.

Last week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i warned Kenyans to brace themselves for more security checks within vital facilities, as the government heightens security across the country.

These will include airports and railway stations.

The CS said despite the re-arrest of Musharaf Abdalla Akhulunga, Mohamed Ali Abikar and Joseph Juma Odhiambo who escaped from Kamiti Maximum Prison, the country was yet to get out of the woods.

“We are not out of the woods yet and I need to caution the public that we are in an unusual space because of what is happening around us. Please let us be very careful and watchful. This is the time to maintain a lot of care in what we do,” the CS said.

Edited by D Tarus