This archive report was first published on 30 August 2021.
On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Hilary Mutyambai addressed concerns raised by the public regarding the 'wash wash' scheme, which involves money laundering and the use of fake money. The issue was first brought to light by controversial blogger Edgar Obare, whose Instagram account was deactivated on Sunday.
According to Mutyambai, a team of detectives from the Serious Crimes Protection Unit (SCPU) under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been dispatched to deal with the rising cases of 'wash wash' in Nairobi. Some suspects have already been arrested and arraigned, and the IG warned Kenyans, particularly the youth, against joining get-rich-quick schemes, which he described as illegal.
Regarding missing persons, Mutyambai challenged the public to provide information that could lead to the discovery of victims, dead or alive. He also warned police officers against brutality and excessive use of force, stating that every officer would be held personally liable for any loss of life.
Additionally, the IG put on notice thugs using get-away motorbikes to mug people, mostly in the city, saying their days were numbered. The National Police Service (NPS) has formed an anti-mugging squad to deal with rising cases of motorbike crimes.
“We have a unit under DCI that deals with serious crime and continues to arrest perpetrators,” Mutyambai said. “Nobody is above the law, we continue to weed out the few who commit crimes within the service in accordance with the law.”
