The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed allegations of its involvement in the recent wave of abductions witnessed in the country.
The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, in a statement to the press on Thursday, 26 December, clarified that there was no constitutional provision for the police to abduct individuals but rather to arrest offenders.
According to the police chief, no police station in the country was holding the individuals allegedly abducted by police officers.
Kanja noted that the procedure, as outlined in the Service Standing Orders, requires all arrests made by the police to be recorded in the Occurrence Book for subsequent arraignment in a court of law.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country that is holding the reported abductees,” IG Kanja stated.
While addressing the issue, the police IG urged Kenyans to exercise their rights and freedom of speech responsibly without exceeding reasonable boundaries.
We therefore appeal to the public to refrain from spreading false, fabricated, malicious, distasteful, misinformed and unverified information aimed at tarnishing the reputation and image of the National Police Service.
“Whereas Kenya is a democratic country that guarantees freedom of expression, freedom not only comes with certain limitations but should at all times be exercised with utmost responsibility,” the police boss remarked.
“We therefore appeal to the public to refrain from spreading false, fabricated, malicious, distasteful, misinformed and unverified information aimed at tarnishing the reputation and image of the National Police Service.”
According to Kanja, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority ( IPOA) and other independent bodies had already commenced investigations into the matter.
IG Kanja went ahead to appeal to members of the public with relevant information about any missing person to report to the nearest police station.