The Social Justice Movement has asked the government to reduce the number of police officers guarding dignitaries.
They have asked that instead, the police officers be deployed to guard Kenyans in the midst of insecurity in Nairobi and its environs.
“The Inspector General of Police should immediately revise downwards the number of officers attached to dignitaries,” they said in a statement on Monday.
The lobby said there is a laxity in the police service that needs to be put to an immediate stop as it creates an environment for crime to thrive.
The common citizen, they said, is evidently the one most at risk as they are easy targets for these gangs while going about their business of building the nation.
“The opportunistic nature of these crimes exposes both the laxity and lack of strategies in combating violent crimes within our internal security forces,” they said.
The lobby called on the police to adhere to their mandate to protect and serve Kenyans instead.
They also said that the recent remarks made by the President and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, professor Kithure Kindiki, over the insecurity are ambiguous.
The President responded by deploying GSU and RDU officers to eradicate surging crime.
The CS put on notice criminal gangs terrorising Nairobi city residents saying the government will crash them.
“We are dissatisfied in the ambiguity of the statements issued by the President and the CS made recently that seem to open a window for extra-judicial executions, backtracking on gains made so far,” they said.
The lobby asked that instead, more practical ways be used including swiftly creating more job opportunities for the youth, who are the major perpetrators of crime.
“Also, make a point to have the Nyumba Kumi programme expanded to include more members of the society such as women and youth,” they said.
