IG Kanja says Kitengela three not in police custody

Police now claim that the three men abducted in Kitengela a month ago are not in their custody.

The three are activist Bob Njagi, Jamil Longton and his younger brother Aslam.

Addressing the media moments after he took office Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said they three were not picked by police.

"What I have gotten from our officers is that we do not have them in custody," said Kanja.

"What I know is that a report was made and we have got an active investigation on the same, we are urging the people of Kenya, anybody with any information to come forward," he added.

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin said they received reports of the abduction and they are probing the incident.

The DCI boss said that their role is to maintain the law as well as the enforcement.

"Abduction is a penal code offence, an offence that we as National Police Service (NPS) officers are supposed to deal with it decisively, we investigate and profile and take the perpetrators or whoever is involved in abductions before court," said Amin.

"It is unfortunate that we have received many cases of abductions and NPS is not involved in any case of abduction," he added.

Njagi, leader of the Free Kenya Movement was abducted from a Kitengela-bound matatu in Mlolongo.

Jamil and Aslam were abducted by hooded men in a Subaru outside their Kitengela home in Kajiado county.

He said that the DCI profiles suspects, and arrests and takes them to gazetted police stations all over the country.

Amin maintained that anyone in their custody is taken under investigation and if they are found innocent, they are freed and those found culpable are processed and taken to court.

"We have received a couple of complaints that certain people have been abducted including the Kitengela three, we have taken it upon ourselves to make sure that the matter is investigated and it is still under investigation," he said.

"We are not holding the so-called Kitengela three," he added.

Kanja thanked President William Ruto for his appointment and sounded a warning to criminals all over the country telling them to look for something else to do.

"I wish to give my assurance to Kenyans that together we will serve the country," he said.

The IG said that he would push for police professionalism to build public confidence in NPS.

"I wish to call upon all members of the public to work closely with us to ensure that security prevails in our country at all times," he said.

Kanja promised to promote transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption.

He assured that police will collaborate with oversight authorities and strengthen internal mechanisms to address malpractice and corruption within the service.

"We want to leverage on technology and enhance our operations and investigative capabilities through the use of modern technology," he said.

Kanja, police will cooperate with stakeholders in the security sector and criminal justice system to enhance efficiency and capabilities in serving Kenyans.

"All manner of criminals including cattle rustlers, terrorists and those who create terror, we do not have space for them they better look for some other businesses to do."