• He said crime was reduced from 8,297 to 7,179 incidents in absolute numbers.
• Kindiki said they have also stepped up the fight against the threat of terror.
Image: INTERIOR MINS
Crime has reduced by 13 per cent in the last three months, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said on Monday.He said incidents dropped from 8,297 to 7,179 in absolute numbers. Kindiki said the government disrupted many terror plots at source.
He said he led to the reduction of the overall rate of crime in the country, including the August-September 2022 crime surge in Nairobi and other urban areas.
“Urban crime, especially the Nairobi muggings that had threatened to disrupt life and businesses in our capital city in the September-October season, has now been contained,” he said.
The CS said this when he enumerated 10 achievements since he occupied his current office.
Kindiki said they have also stepped up the fight against the threat of terror.
“We have disrupted many terror plots at source, neutralised and/or arrested dozens of suspected terrorists, and destroyed a huge cache of weapons and explosives that could have badly harmed our people if they were not intercepted,” he said.
“The current crackdown on al Shabaab terror cells in Somalia, which is spearheaded by local community leaders with the support of the Federal Government of Somalia, has tremendously weakened this militant group.”
He said security agencies are alert to ensure that militants do not cross into Kenya's territory.
“We have stepped up our border patrols and upped our surveillance on the proliferation of illicit arms, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” Kindiki said.
He said they have improved on intelligence gathering to stay several steps ahead of the enemy.
“We must always strike first and fast to neutralise them and obliterate their nefarious networks.”
The CS said as hardworking officers in the elite specially trained formed units remain engaged in keeping terror at bay, their colleagues on general duties have helped to significantly reduce the general rate of crime in the country over the past three months.
He said nearly 6,000 new police officers who have joined the National Police Service in the last 100 days.
The new officers will be deployed to security hotspots across the country immediately to further buttress the security of our people and their property, Kindiki said.
He said the ministry has developed terms of reference for gazettement of the task force on terms and conditions and other reforms of the National Police Service (NPS) and Kenya Prisons Service (KPS).
The ministry also opened the Police Leadership Academy and accelerated the construction of the National Police Hospital (Mbagathi), the Kenya Prisons Hospital (Ruiru) and equipped the Border Police Hospital in Kitui, to be officially opened on February 24, 2023.
Kindiki said there has been streamlining of e-passport issuance procedures and restoration of the supply of passport booklets.
Further, there was initiation of the process for the acquisition and installation of the Advance Passenger Information (API) system, e-Gates and a modern electronic security surveillance at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to enable the facility to retain the Global Category 1 Airport status.
The CS said he initiated the policy framework for the introduction of a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) at birth for all newborns and the policy framework for the introduction of third-generation, smart/ digital ID.
He also cleared a five-year backlog (2018-2022) of determinations of 1,678 applications and 19 appeals of citizenship, permanent residency and work permits.
“Going forward, we intend to make regular Public Accountability Statements on progress made every three months, consistent with the Kenya Kwanza Administration Policy of an open government,” he said.
He was accompanied by Immigration PS Julius Bitok and his Correctional counterpart Mary Muthoni.