By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The National Police Service has denied involvement in the ongoing abductions in the country and urged members of the public to report any missing person in the nearest police station.
In a statement released to the public the National Police Service said that their duty according to the law is to arrest criminals and not to conduct abductions.
“The National Police Service is deeply concerned with the ongoing allegations that police officers are involved in abductions of persons in Kenya. For clarity, the Constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is not to abduct, but arrest criminal offenders,” reads the statement.
“The procedure as per the Service Standing Orders informs that all arrests be recorded in the Occurrence Book for subsequent arraignment in court of law, otherwise, the suspects be released from police custody if they fail to meet the procedural threshold.”
“For avoidance of doubt, the NPS is not involved in any abductions, and there is no police station in the country that is holding the reported abductees,” NPS said in the statement.
National Police Service emphasized that 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.
“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,” said the statement.
The Service further reported that the matter in question is subject to investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and any other independent body.
“We appeal to anybody with relevant information about any missing person to report to the nearest police station,” NPS said in the statement.
However the NPS has reiterated its commitment to serve and protect its citizens.