Police tighten security in Nairobi ahead of festivities

Police in Nairobi have intensified patrols and security arrangements as the Christmas activities hit top gear.

Nairobi central subcounty police commander Raphael Kimilu said both uniformed, undercover detectives and other police teams have been deployed in key areas including major bus stations.

Areas police have beefed security include Machakos country bus, Railways, bus station, River Road and CBD among other areas.

“We put a lot of measures in place to ensure during Christmas festivities everything goes right and to ensure travelers are not harassed or mugged," Kimilu said.

"It is good for someone to work hard for their daily bread instead of waiting to mug others."

He said that the patrols have borne fruits and dozens of suspected criminals have been arrested and arraigned.

“So we are putting them on notice and we are telling them we are coming for you…So far those measures have borne fruits and for the last few weeks we have not had any serious incidents within the CBD,” he said.

Machakos Country Bus agents management chairman Paul Ouma said no cases of insecurity have been reported at the terminus so far.

“For the last few days, we have not had any passengers robbed or conductors running away with people’s money. We are getting good corporations from security teams,” Ouma said.

Machakos country bus hosts long-distance vehicles going to Western, Nyanza and Eastern regions.

Ouma, however, lamented that not many people are travelling upcountry this time, saying harsh economic times have dealt a blow to travellers' ability to spend.

In the Gikomba area, New Pumwani Road SMEs chairman Warutere Munyiri said as the market gets busier during the festivities security is needed to make sure criminals don’t take advantage of the situation.

“We request security to continue with more patrols because we have challenges as people and vehicles are hence the challenges to move around the city. We have however cooperated with police officers from the Muoroto police base to handle the situation,” he said.