This archive report was first published on 6 July 2021.
July 6, 2021 - In response to a surge in kidnappings across the country, the Kenyan police have established a special squad to tackle the issue, which they deem a threat to national security.
Senior police officials held a meeting to discuss the growing concern of abductions, particularly in the lead-up to the 2022 general elections. They also acknowledged child abduction as a significant problem, vowing to provide a robust solution.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i announced on Monday that the special squad had been equipped with additional resources to investigate and solve kidnapping cases.
"We have agreed to deploy special and aggressive resources to deal with this issue. The DCI has already made significant strides in tracking down the gangs behind these kidnappings," Matiang'i stated.
He attributed some of the kidnappings to illegal business dealings that have gone sour, resulting in abductions and killings. Matiang'i also noted that some individuals have a predatory attitude, engaging in informal but criminal business arrangements that often lead to violence.
The DCI has been directed to intensify its efforts in tracing the gangs responsible for the kidnappings.
