About 350 police officers from the Flying Squad and the
Special Crime Prevention Unit have been transferred.
The revamp of the elite police squads became clearer
yesterday, as DCI chief George Kinoti announced the transfers. They will be
replaced by officers from other units.
The two units lost about 100 officers in the changes
released yesterday, while another 250 officers were moved on Monday night.
The restructuring came after reports some officers were
colluding with criminals and hiring out guns.
The idea was mooted at a meeting of senior police commanders
at the Kenya School of Government last week. President Uhuru Kenyatta attended
part of the meeting.
A section of senior officers opposed the changes, citing the
current political climate. But some complained that Flying Squad officers
attached to divisional police headquarters had become rogue, hence the need for
changes. It was, therefore, resolved that all officers serving in the units be
transferred and replaced with new officers from other units.
Flying Squad chief Said Kiprotich and Special Crime Unit
boss Noah Katumo were, however, retained.
The transfers are aimed at trimming the numbers in the two
units to improve efficieny. Kinoti, in an interview with the Star, said the
units will be rebuilt and will have a maximum of 100 officers each.
The changes are aimed at building a single command for the
specialised teams. The Flying Squad will now fall under one commander, as
opposed to the previous structure where officers reported to divisional police
commanders.
Focus now shifts to the Criminal Intelligence Unit, which
Kinoti said would also undergo major changes.
Kinoti took over from Ndegwa Muhoro in January. He is
expected to conduct more changes within the departments.
