[Kenya] Poverty Fuelling Crime, Says Police Chief

from All Africa

The East African Standard (Nairobi)

Cyrus Ombati
Nairobi

Despite a general decline in crime, unemployment continues to feed criminal gangs with new recruits, Police Commissioner Maj-Gen Hussein Ali has said.

Ali cited joblessness and poverty as the main obstacles to the fight against insecurity.

"What you see in the society is as a result of joblessness and poverty, but we are trying to deal with it," he said on Wednesday.

He denied claims that crime was on the rise, but did not give figures to back his assertion.

"Those are mere speculations because as far as I am concerned we are on top of things," he said.

He cited the skirmishes in Kuresoi, Laikipia, hawkers in Nairobi and cattle rustling in Marsabit as some of the incidents the force is addressing.

Ali spoke while opening a seminar for Provincial Police Officers and commanders at the CID Training School, Nairobi. He said the Government is equipping the Police Department to enable the officers to serve the public better.

He at the same time denied reports that the suspension of Criminal Investigations Department Director, Mr Joseph Kamau, had affected operations.

The police chief denied that the suspension had caused divisions in the force. The seminar is meant to equip senior officers with crime and financial management skills.

Ali said the officers would be attending such meetings regularly.

"This will enable us know what to do, when and how. We will ensure that the officers are conversant with latest methods of addressing issues in the society," he added.