This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
On August 11, 2019, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i (right) addressed Mombasa security officers and Nyali MP Mohamed Ali in Kadzandani, Nyali, Mombasa County.
A wave of violence in Kisauni, Nyali, and Likoni, coupled with poorly coordinated efforts to combat narcotics, prompted a major reshuffle of security bosses in Mombasa, The Standard can reveal.
Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai oversaw the reshuffle, which saw Coast Regional Police Commander Marcus Ochola moved to Rift Valley and replaced by Rashid Yakub from Western.
Yakub, a former GSU commander, is expected to take up his new role in the area this week.
Edwin Mwaburi, who was previously in Rift Valley, moves to Western region, while Mombasa Police County Commander Johnstone Ipara swaps positions with Augustine Nthumbi in Uasin Gishu County.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i had promised to investigate police laxity and weakness in the war against narcotics trade in Coast just a fortnight ago.
Dr. Matiang'i was particularly irked by the slow police response to gang attacks in Kisauni and Nyali sub-counties, where 14 people were injured.
Yesterday, some Mombasa leaders said the transfers appear to have been effected due to 'pressure' from the Government's failure to deal with drug barons.
'The Government reacted because of pressure. We do not want to see the arrest of bhang smokers, we want to see the drug barons arrested,' said Nyali MP Mohamed Ali.
Mr. Ali refused to discuss the content or agenda of Mombasa leaders' meeting with Matiang'i but said the current war on drug trafficking appears uncoordinated.
He said the Government should not victimise junior officers, saying 'it will demoralise the police force' and derail the war on narcotics in Coast region.
Police Spokesman Charles Owino and senior police officers in Mombasa did not respond to our phone calls, but The Standard learnt top security chiefs had been summoned to Nairobi.
Just last week, police officers raided Punjani's home in Nyali, but he was reported to be undergoing treatment abroad.
Residents welcomed the move and said they expect other police officers who have overstayed in Mombasa to be transferred.
Residents said they expect the incoming police bosses to address security issues in the county adequately.
