If you have been walking around donning regalia resembling that of police or military, you better stop unless you want to spend time behind bars.
The Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, has ordered the police to arrest any civilian who will be found donning attires resembling police or military uniform.
According to Mr. Boinnet, criminals have been masquerading as police officers or military and terrorizing members of the public adding that those found with such clothing will be arrested and charged in court.
“Our attention has been drawn to the growing tendency by some persons to don attire resembling police or military uniforms which is creating confusion amongst members if the public as to who is a genuine member of any of our security agencies,” he said in a statement.
Criminals Using Police Uniforms
“Criminals are also known to put on such attire masquerading as Police Officers and terrorize members of the public. This practice must stop as it is against the law to wear clothing that has any resemblance to Military or Police uniforms,” the IG said.
Cases of criminal gangs attacking the public while in police uniforms have been on the rise with the recent cases being in Mombasa (Kisauni and Kibarani). Residents have complained of a group of young men that has been terrorizing them, attacking them with machetes while in full police uniforms.
Taming Criminal Activities
The directive from the Inspector General comes in the wake of renewed terror attacks starting with that at 14 Riverside attack that left 21 people dead.
Our attention has been drawn to the growing tendency by some persons to don attire resembling Police or Military uniforms which is creating confusion amongst members of the public as to who is a genuine member of any of our security agencies. 1/3
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) January 29, 2019