The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is urging residents of Marsabit and Isiolo counties to aid in combating terrorism by sharing information on potential terror suspects and activities.
In an awareness initiative led by the DCI’s Counter Violent Extremism Directorate (CVE), residents were encouraged to take an active role in community policing as a way to improve local security.
“Residents in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties have been urged to partner with the police by sharing information on terror suspects and terrorist activities, as a way of enhancing the Counties’ safety and security,” DCI said in a statement on Friday, October 25, 2024.
The three-day campaign, supported by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and local law enforcement agencies, focused on building trust between the police and the community.
Boda boda operators, a key part of local transportation, were supplied with reflective jackets featuring the DCI’s toll-free hotline (0800 722 203), enabling them to report crimes anonymously.
“While at it, the CVE teams were supported by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and local law enforcers to distribute #FICHUAKWADCI reflector jackets to bodaboda operators across the counties, bearing the DCI toll-free hotline number 0800 722 203 where intelligence reports on serious crimes are shared anonymously to the DCI,” the statement added.
The initiative also emphasized safe riding practices, with reminders for operators to wear helmets and follow traffic rules, thus ensuring both personal and community safety.
The outreach team included Chief Inspector Leonard Mugambi from the CVE, NCTC’s Gatama Ndiritu, and the Isiolo Sub-County Police Commander.
For years, Kenya has contended with security challenges tied to terrorist organizations, including al-Shabaab.
Isiolo and Marsabit counties have seen an influx of terror threats, and the DCI believes that a closer partnership with local residents could serve as an effective deterrent.
