Current law on outlawed sects feeble, say police

Nairobi, Kenya - Parliament should enact a law, imposing stiffer penalties against promoters of outlawed sects such as Mungiki.

Buruburu OCPD Joseph Maina Migwi says the current law related to outlawed sects in the country was weak and offered very little thus making the work of the police in wiping out the Mungiki menace extremely difficult.

The illegal sect has been accused of alleged involvement in robbery, car jacking, illegal collection of taxes and other social evils.

Migwi says the illegal Mungiki sect collects over 3 million shs per day in Nairobi alone from matatus, landlords and tapping of electricity and its distribution to unsuspecting customers.

Speaking in Nairobi the OCPD said since the introduction of community policing programme, the number of crime reported cases had increased, and wananchi were cooperating well with police to fight crime.

Meanwhile 95 suspected followers of the outlawed Mungiki sect have been arrested in Thika.

Thika deputy police boss, Jacob Okoko said the suspects wore no under garments and their ears were pierced in accordance with the norms of the sect.

Accompanied by chief inspector Thomas Muriithi, Okoko said the suspects were arrested in Kiangombe, Kiandutu, Kiganjo and Makongeni areas of Thika district.

Okoko assured the residents that the search for the outlaws would continue.