Police boss David Kimaiyo surprised by low-level of security in Nairobi

NAIROBI, KENYA: Police boss David Kimaiyo made surprise visits to hospitals, shopping malls and churches in the city and witnessed a low level of security preparedness and ordered increased measures to address it.

Kimaiyo spent the better part of Sunday visiting the places following threats of terror attacks and claims of lack of security and general preparedness.

He was disappointed at state of laxity in some of the places putting blame squarely on his juniors.

Among the places he visited were Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Nakumatt and Tuskys Supermarkets, Don Bosco Catholic Church, AIC Milimani, Uhuru Highway and a number of streets in the Central Business District.

He also drove along Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way, Riverside Drive, James Gichuru Road and Ngong Road.

At KNH, officials said Kimaiyo complained about the security which he recorded was not up to the required standards as it emerged strangers can walk in and out freely.

He said KNH requires serious overhaul in screening and carry out security assessment and inform him on their needs.

Kimaiyo told police commanders in the city to deploy armed police to supermarkets, hospitals and some strategic buildings within the city which could easily be targeted by terrorists.

This was after officials at some of the supermarkets he visited complained they had not received any armed police despite their numerous requests.

“Managers of the institutions insisted they need armed police officers as part of mitigating measures to address terror related threats. He agreed and said he will instruct for the deployment,” said an official in one of the supermarkets he visited.

Journalists bumped onto Kimaiyo and one bodyguard along Mama Ngina Street as he talked to motorists and pedestrians before he slipped towards Kaunda Street, Muindi Mbingu Street and later University Way.

He had a notebook that he used to take notes at the places that he visited while in the company of one bodyguard.

He later told The Standard he was on a comprehensive visit to the places to see how things are in general.

“This was a comprehensive tour of monitoring and evaluation on the police deployment and capability of handling any kind of an emergency. There has been too much talk on security in some of these places,” said Kimaiyo.

He said he wanted to see if police have taken measures to beef up security in the wake of the threats.