The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed viral reports circulating on social media of some police officers who were said to be posted in various areas of Nairobi on Monday, December 31, to arrest protestors.
In a statement released by the NPS spokesperson, Dr Resila Onyango, the police dismissed the claims, stating that the roster that was widely shared online had nothing to do with the demonstrations.
Onyango stated that the claims were misleading and that the NPS usually assigns officers based on their normal itinerary, dismissing earlier rumours that had been on social media.
The duty roster shared online had the names and cellphone contacts of police officers from the Central Police Station.
(Left to Right) General Service Unit Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, DCI Director Amin Mohammed and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja during a press briefing in Nairobi on December 4 at Harambee house.
Ministry of Interior
”Contrary to the malicious and misleading information insinuating that the roster was meant for the arrest of protestors yesterday, we wish to clarify to the public that under Chapter 59, Paragraph 12 of the National Police Service Standing Orders, duty rosters are maintained at all sub-counties, stations, posts, outposts, and traffic offices in the country for planning and assigning responsibilities for a period,” she added.
The NPS further added that duty rosters generally offer a framework for records and documentation of police administrative and operational processes and that the service had no hidden motives in the normal deployment of its officers.
”Duty rosters generally offer a framework for records and documentation of police administrative and operational processes; promote and enhance the accountability of the Service; and ensure that all officers at the station are apprised of the relevant contacts in the event they require assistance in the course of their duties,” she noted.
”As such, the said duty roster had absolutely nothing to do with any general or specific task in relation to demonstrations,” NPS added.
The police were responding to a list with contact details of each allegedly deployed officer to arrest protestors shared on social media by netizens.
Consequently, Onyango asked members of the public to refrain from spreading misinformation intended for public incitement.
The warning comes against the backdrop of recent concerns within the security sector, where social media users have been publicly sharing the contact details of individuals they consider to be opposed to certain public stances.
Such have prompted leaders across the political divide to call for stringent measures to regulate how social media is used particularly by the young people.
Anti-riot police officers in the Nairobi CBD. PHOTO/ Courtesy.