Mombasa County Police Commander Johnston Ipara at his office in Mombasa County on Friday 8th December 2017. He disputed claims that the police were involved in shooting a man at Likoni and said they received the news of the shooting. He says the have launched investigations on the matter. [Photo/Kelvin Karani]
Police in Mombasa are holding a man they claim has been passing himself off as a senior General Service Unit (GSU) commander.
The man was said to have impersonated a senior superintendent of police at the Mombasa police headquarters.
Mombasa County Police Commander Johnstone Ipara yesterday denied reports that the impostor committed the crime within police stations and used police property.
"It is true we arrested an impostor after receiving information that he has been moving around passing himself off as a GSU officer. We are trying to find out how long this has been going on," Mr Ipara said.
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There were conflicting stories about how the man's cover was blown.
One account suggested he was uncovered when a new commander at Makupa police station found junior officers saluting a 'senior' police officer he did not know. He was not convinced about the man's rank.
"The OCS questioned him, demanding to know his credentials," said an officer involved in the investigation.
"The impostor told the OCS he was a GSU commander based at the headquarters near State House, but the OCS ordered his arrest instead."
The suspect was interrogated and detained at Makupa police station
"He led us to his house in Magongo, Changamwe, where we recovered police boots and attire," a source said.
Another account suggested the impostor was arrested from a hideout in Makupa.
Junior officers at Makupa said they thought the suspect was senior policeman.
Some sources claimed the suspect had performed 'official"' duties using police vehicles, but Ipara denied this, insisting that the suspect had not stepped inside any police station or vehicle.
Other reports indicate the suspect's profile on Facebook depicts him in GSU jungle uniform.
Other reports claim there was suspicion when he was recently seen near Mombasa State House - a restricted area - without justification.
Some officers who participated in a recent police digital headcount in Mombasa claimed the fake officer was present at the venue.
Mombasa Urban DCI Anthony Muriithi said the suspect was in custody. Mr Muriithi said his officers were on the ground gathering evidence, adding that they were not taking the incident lightly. "I have taken over the matter," he said.
