Police intensify crackdown on Mungiki

Police have been instructed to intensify crackdown on the outlawed Mungiki sect after reports indicated the group was being revamped.
Reports indicate that the sect has formed a disciplinary and hit squad nicknamed Chapa Squad that is being led by a Mungiki follower from Nakuru County with the support of other leaders from Nairobi and Central provinces.
According to a confidential report from Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere to all provincial police commanders, CID officers and head of Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, the Chapa Squad has been tasked to revive collect information that will assist in the operations of the sect.
disrupting meetings
Apart from the squad, the sect has allegedly formed a council of elders and appointed wards and regional leaders who will be coordinating operations.
The report also claims that intelligence reports show the sect followers have been directed to disrupt all political meetings that will be addressed by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta by heckling him.
“The sect leaders within Nanyuki are also planning to disrupt all political rallies organised by Mwangi Kiunjuri within Laikipia, accusing him of neglecting them,” reads part of the report.
The report identified alleged top Mungiki leaders who are behind a series of robberies and carjacking incidents in Murang’a County. Iteere told his officers in the field to deal with anyone breaking the law.
The letter mentions former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga as being part of the leadership. But Njenga denied the claims on Tuesday and termed them political and meant to taint him.
The letter is copied to GSU boss William Saiya, CID boss Ndegwa Muhoro, PPOs Anthony Kibuchi (Nairobi), Francis Munyambu (Rift Valley), John Mbijiwe (Central), Leo Nyongesa (North Eastern), Aggrey Adoli (Coast), Njue Njagi (Nyanza), Kibui Githinji (Western) and ATPU’s Boniface Mwaniki, an indication of the seriousness that police are giving the issue.
Njenga and other Central Kenya leaders are planning a major meeting on May 30 at the Jumuia Conference Centre in Limuru following the disruption of a similar one last month. Police have been ordered by the court to provide security for the meeting.
By Cyrus Ombati