Top cops meet to plan for festive season

Motorists flouting traffic rules during this festive season have been told to expect instant justice with the deployment of mobile courts.

This come as Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Eliud Lagat revealed that the police have mapped out hotspots where most motorists are likely to flout traffic rules.

He said they have mobilised more personnel to be deployed to these areas, together with officers from the Judiciary.

FKF rift deepens as Hussein alleges “coup plot” amid Mariga fallout Football

KCB to dare Tusker in FKF Cup semi-final blockbuster Football

“We have mapped out the hotspots and we want to make sure the past traffic mess doesn’t recur this time. We will be having mobile courts to help deal with troublemakers,” he said. “We want to do something different this time round.”

He made the remarks after meeting top police commanders at the Ngong Traffic Base to plan how to enhance security during the festive season. Every regional commander made a presentation on what they will do in their respective regions to enhance security.

The Nairobi–Nakuru highway was cited as the most notorious route where motorists flout traffic rules. The hotspots include Lari, Kimende, Soko Mjinga, Salgaa, and Timboroa. The Nairobi–Mombasa highway was also mentioned.

Lagat said they are ready to ensure that those travelling are safe. He added that more personnel will be deployed to various places frequented by Kenyans and foreigners.

“Tourist destinations will get more personnel to enhance security during the festive season,” he said. He also urged the public to cooperate with the police for their own safety.

The meeting also reviewed police operations this year and planned for next year. It further served as an occasion to open the Traffic Police Training Centre.

Discussions also covered illicit brew, noise pollution, the emergence of criminal gangs—particularly goons—and tribal clashes in Angata Barrikoi, Narok.

“We are profiling all those behind the menace and will be coming for them soon,” he said. Police officers on leave have been recalled, while those who intended to proceed on off-duty leave have been told to wait. This is meant to bolster the number of personnel on the streets during the period.

As part of these efforts, the National Multi-Agency Command Centre (NMACC) has been activated to coordinate surveillance, intelligence sharing, and rapid response before, during, and after the festive season.

The centre is manned by officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forestry Service, National Youth Service, and the National Government Administration.

Similar coordination centres have been activated at regional and county levels to enhance operational command and control.

These efforts are complemented by festive season operation orders operationalised by the National Police Service to ensure coordinated, intelligence-led security operations and effective maintenance of law and order across the country.

Officers deployed to provide enhanced security coverage and presence across the country have been drawn from the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forestry Service, National Youth Service, and the Kenya Coast Guard Service.

Officials said the teams have been stationed at all entry and exit points, including airports and border crossings, as well as high-traffic locations such as hotels, shopping malls, public beaches, tourist sites, central business districts, critical infrastructure installations, places of worship, and entertainment joints.

They are supported by General Duty Police and specialised units.

The Ministry of Defence is providing logistical and air support where required, as well as securing the country from external threats.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in collaboration with the Traffic Police Department, has launched a nationwide traffic operation to facilitate traffic flow and enhance road safety on major highways and urban roads.

Mobile courts will also be deployed where necessary, while physical and electronic measures will be used for deterrence and enforcement.

Regional and County Security Committees were reinforced to enhance counter-terrorism preparedness and are actively implementing Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) County Action Plans.

The teams have intensified surveillance and operations, with particular focus on safeguarding critical infrastructure and large public gatherings.

Alongside intensified operations against organised criminal gangs operating in Nairobi, the Coast, Western, Nyanza, Central, and Eastern regions, security teams have escalated targeted enforcement measures to address cultural and social crimes, including FGM, defilement, early pregnancies, forced marriages, domestic violence, and religious extremism.