The National Police Service (NPS) has denied allegations that police officers are involved in abductions of persons in the country.

NPS Inspector General Douglas Kanja says that the allegations are not only false, fabricated, malicious, and distasteful, but also aimed at tarnishing the reputation and image of the police service.

“For clarity, the Constitutional mandate of the National Police Service is not to abduct, but arrest criminal offenders,” IG Kanja says, insisting that there is no police station in the country that is holding the reported abductees.

“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,” Kanja notes.

IG Kanja’s warning

Kanja, however, warned Kenyans 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.”

He says that the matter of the said abductions is with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) who are conducting their investigations.

“We appeal to anybody with relevant information about any missing person to report to the nearest police station. The National Police Service reiterates its commitment to serve and protect all persons,” the NPS appeals.

Recent abductions

This comes in the wake of recent abductions in the country where four families are in agony, trying to find the whereabouts of their kin.

Just yesterday, the family of cartoonist Kibet Bull, real name Gideon Kibet, reported him missing. The family says he has been missing since Saturday.

Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti and Billy Mwangi have also been reported missing, abducted by masked men.