Rogue police officers suspected to be protecting criminals are to blame for the resurgence of criminal gangs in Nakuru.

Nakuru County Commissioner Mr Loyford Kibaara said investigations have revealed that some police officers in Rhonda and Kaptembwo have been working with the terror gangs, thus thwarting efforts to end insecurity.

The county administrator said among the suspects are high ranking officers in the Police service who have been unable to deal with the gangs due to their existing unholy relationship between them.

This, according to Mr Kibaara is the possible cause for the re-emergence of the deadly gangs that have recently been involved in a spate of crime activities in the estates of Nakuru city including stabbing, mugging as well as robberies.

In his measures to deal with the menace, the County Commissioner announced new changes in the area’s security docket including the redeployment of the Officer Commanding Rhonda Police station as well as the transfer of other officers.

According to the commissioner, investigations are underway to bring the suspected officers to book.

“We have taken serious measures towards returning security in the estates which include posting a new OCS to the station and pursuing the officers involved in crime,” said Mr Kibaara.

He indicated that the county security team has agreed to have the County police commander Zachary Kimani channel his energies to the area and personally take charge until the criminals are rooted out.

“The county police commander is going to camp there to take charge of Kaptembwo and Rhonda estates as we clean up the area,” he said.

In addition, the administrator announced plans to carry out an overhaul of the Nyumba kumi committee, arguing that the current team has not been effective.

According to him, the current committee has been threatened and are not in a position to discharge their duties effectively.

Mr Kibaara who was addressing concerns by the members of the public over the resurgence of the criminal gangs noted that a crackdown conducted in Bahati, Nakuru East and West has led to the arrest of 302 people suspected to be members of the outlawed gangs.

The suspects are said to belong to either of the five gang members operating in the region including the Mauki, Watized and Confirm. The groups are operating from the estates in Rhonda and Kaptembwo.

Mr Kibaara said the groups have been engaging in retaliatory attacks, which has led to the death of some of the members, confrontations which have shaken the members of the public.

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County Commissioner blames rogue police for increased insecurity cases in Nakuru

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Joseph Openda