IG Boinnet faults Governor Joho over illegal gangs remarks

The Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has faulted Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho for claiming that his notice on the emergence of illegal gangs was a prelude to a looming crackdown targeting members of the opposition.

Joho had on Monday stated that: “Just before the elections, the Interior Ministry came up with a tale that Mungiki and other terror gangs were regrouping. It was part of the scare mongering that will certainly re-emerge in the coming days to justify a crackdown on opposition supporters and leaders.”

Responding to Joho’s statement, Boinnet said that the notice was genuine saying they will work on making sure such outlawed gangs do not sprout.

“Our warning still stands and persons associating themselves with criminal groupings will only have themselves to blame when the law catches up with them. We shall not allow such groups to sprout and become a threat to public safety and security again,” said the IG.

He also claimed that the Police used APCs to harass his supporters during the recent Malindi by elections.

Boinett also noted that the APCs seen during the by-election had made an overnight stop in Malindi en-route to Lamu saying their vehicles were used by the local command to transport officers from far-flung stations to Malindi town to enhance security.

He insisted that the order to Governor Joho to surrender his firearms still stands adding that he must adhere to law.

“No amount of entreaties will change our position as we are still convinced he is not of suitable temperament at the moment to be entrusted with firearms.”

The Mombasa Governor had, early Monday, filed an appeal against the order to surrender his firearms saying Chief Licensing Officer Samuel Kimaru had failed to adhere to statutory provisions guiding the revocation of firearms.

In his appeal, Joho stated that Kimaru considered irrelevant issues in making the decision noting that his decision was neither independent nor impartial.

The appeal made to Interior Cabinet Secretary Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery through Joho’s lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi further accused Kimaru of filing to give Joho a fair administrative hearing adding that the officer was influenced in making the decision.

@benjaminwafula