DCI Cautions Kenyans of Increase in Police Impostors

Undated photo of police officers outside the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road
Police officers outside the DCI Headquarters along Kiambu Road.
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DCI

In a series of arrests by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the detectives have noted an alarming trend of thugs donning police uniforms to confuse unsuspecting Kenyans before robbing them of their valuables.

On Monday, January 9, DCI noted that a group of five men ambushed a man heading home and stole his phone and other valuables.

After a report was filed at the local police station, a manhunt was launched and one of the culprits was apprehended.

"The 27-year-old suspect was dressed in a police smoke jacket and was in a group of five men who had attacked a man walking home last night and robbed him of his mobile phone and other valuables," DCI detailed.

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Police attire seized from two suspects in Changamwe, Mombasa on Monday, April 26, 2021
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He was placed in police custody as the search continued for the other suspects.

DCI cautioned Kenyans to be keen and avoid falling into such traps following a similar incident earlier on.  

On Friday, January 6, a DCI detective, in the company of his wife, fell victim to this trick. He was stopped for a 'routine police check' by the thugs who later followed him to his home in Kahawa West.

Outside his gate, the thugs opened fire and severely injured the detective who was rushed to the Kenyatta University Referral Hospital.

In 2019, DCI exposed thugs masquerading as traffic police officers along major roads in a devious scheme to steal the victims' vehicles.

Additionally, detectives informed that the thugs handcuff the victims before speeding off with the vehicles.

According to the National Police Service Act, any person who either in whole or in part impersonates a police officer is guilty of an offence.

"The culprit shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years, or to both," reads part of the Act.

However, the act states that a person may with the approval of the Inspector General use police uniforms for artistic purposes.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome
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