Police intensify crackdown in Garissa

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

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Police have arrested over 100 people in a major police operation in Garissa to flush out criminal gangs accused to be behind a series of bombings and killings in the town.

Hundreds of policemen from the General Service Unit, the Rapid Deployment Unit, Administration and regular police began combing the town with some manning the borders in search of militants who have been terrorizing the region.

On Sunday, the head of Criminal Investigations Department in Garissa was interdicted together with nine other government officials including Customs officers and chiefs, after being linked to al-Shabaab activities in the town.

The officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Rapid Deployment Unit of the Administration Police began an operation to flush out suspects and search for illegal weapons.

The operation follows a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta who ordered the crackdown after unknown gunmen attacked a restaurant known as Kwa Chege last Thursday and sprayed patrons with bullets indiscriminately, killing 10 people and seriously injuring three others.

Police say they will carry on with the operation until residents of Garissa can live in peace. Many homes and business premises were not spared as the heavily armed security officers engaged in a door-to-door search.

Police have blamed the killings on sympathisers of Al Shabaab and corrupt elements with links to the force and some powerful businessmen out to settle scores.

Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo said the Government would streamline and closely monitor operations of taxi and boda- boda operators, including limiting the latter’s working hours to between 6.00am and 6.00pm.

There were reports that some residents were fleeing the town fearing possible harassment by the officers.

Most of the suspects of Somali origin have been staying in the country illegally and are blamed for the increased crime rate in the region. Over 50 aliens arrested during Monday’s crackdown were expected in court later on Tuesday. Police say they had lined up various charges against the suspects. Some residents started fleeing areas where deadly attacks occurred recently to settlements on the outskirts of the town.

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