New IGP pledge to deal firmly with criminals was a move in right direction
The Mt Kenya Times 
New IG Japhet Koome
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- The cardinal responsibility of a police officer is to protect the lives of citizens and their properties. In view of this, there are certain circumstances when the officer is allowed to use the live bullets. This will happen when the police while on line of duty come face to face with criminals who posse real danger to their lives.
- The citizens must bear this in mind. The police are also human beings. As such, the decision on how to deal with the situation rests with them. Using live bullets comes as a last resort. If they opt to so, the aim is not necessary to kill.
I watched and listened to the acceptance speech of the new Inspector General of Police [IGP] Japheth Koome moments after taking the oath of office. He comes out as a person who truly understood his job and ready and roaring to swing into action.
I’m aware of the rising insecurity and my message to the criminals, who were terrorizing the residents of Nairobi and those stealing the livestock in other parts of the country, is this. Look for something else to do that is lawful and, if you don’t, my officers will deal with you firmly and put you to where you to belong.
The muggers who were involved snatching and stealing expensive necklaces, handbags and money that you earned through sweat and hard work, he told them. Stop doing this!
As the Kenya police, we understand our constitutional mandate and so we shall be guided by law in all our undertakings.
The gun-wielding criminals were given a window of one-month to surrender the illegal firearms. If you heed this call, we will not arrest or prefer any charges against you.
He gave the amnesty after the governor of Nairobi Johnson Sakaja reportedly revealed that he had been receiving calls from some of these criminals. Listening to their tones, it seemed they were willing to shun the life of crime and become law-abiding citizens.
Three days after new IGP issued a stern warning, I was hosted by the anchor of Weega TV talk show, Rikiuma-Ngoini, Kamau Githinji and our discussion was centered on the same subject.
The anchor at one point reminded me. This is not the first time we have heard top security officers talking tough and most often do so when there is raising insecurity. But at the end of the day they will make little or no progress.
This, perhaps, explains why we have been seeing a recurring of same crimes. Do you think the new IGP will succeed to change this narrative? This is while bearing in mind he is one of the longest serving police officers, though he has had a good and clean track record.
My response; I have no reason to doubt his commitment to introduce changes aimed at making the National Police Service [NPS] more professional, people-friendly and responsive to their needs.
As you [anchor] have observed, his history is not dotted with any known blemish. This, to me, explains why he had earned the trust and confidence of the previous administrations.
For many years, he served as the police commander of Kiganjo Police Training in Nyeri. This leaves no doubt he is looking forward to lead a force that is disciplined and adheres to the Code of Conduct.
The cardinal responsibility of a police officer is to protect the lives of citizens and their properties. In view of this, there are certain circumstances when the officer is allowed to use the live bullets. This will happen when the police while on line of duty come face to face with criminals who posse real danger to their lives.
The citizens must bear this in mind. The police are also human beings. As such, the decision on how to deal with the situation rests with them. Using live bullets comes as a last resort. If they opt to so, the aim is not necessary to kill.
In case of carjacking, they can us their skills to shot at the tires and immobilize the vehicle. If the carjackers comes out and surrender, here the police have no justification to use lethal force. They ought to arrest the criminals and arraign them in court.
Looking at the pattern of rising insecurity, one thing is clear. In Nairobi and other major towns, the crimes reported ranges from mugging, robbery with violence, murder, carjacking, assault/serious assaults and house breaking and burglaries. The major causes are unemployment, hard economic times, illiteracy and rural urban migration.
Obviously, it is widely believed that IGP and DCI boss are in possession of this information and they know a lot more. This information is important because it is meant to help them get to the bottom of this problem and come up with a long lasting solution.
The duo has so far demonstrated their commitment to walk the talk. Let us support them.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political commentator based in Nairobi
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