FOR AND AGAINST

Suspected split in police service holds back war on drugs

In April, two police units clashed at a roadblock over suspected contraband ethanol

In Summary

• Mombasa police boss has denied claims tycoon Punjani has police bodyguards. 

• There may be two groups fighting each other over arrested criminals, confiscated drugs. 

Police raided the home of Ali Punjani on Monday, August 12
MONEY OVER SERVICE?: Police raided the home of Ali Punjani on Monday, August 12
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

That Mombasa tycoon Ali Punjani has police bodyguards is a pointer that nothing has changed in the narcotics war.

However, police commander Johnstone Ipara has denied these allegations. This could mean that might be the existence of two groups in the service. One side may be against drug barons while the other is protecting them.

An example is when police from different agencies came to a near all-out gun war after one group intercepted smuggled alcohol into the country while the other group was protecting the smugglers.

In April, two police units clashed at a roadblock along the Nairobi-Namanga Highway over suspected contraband ethanol. An OCS was also arrested for setting a suspect free and releasing his seized consignment of drugs.

Mombasa 


WATCH: The latest videos from the Star