Minister Cautions Security Officers On Roadblocks Against Excessive Force

The Internal Affairs Minister Gen Jeje Odongo on Thursday issued a caution to security officers on roadblocks implementing presidential directives on movement of cars, against using excessive force.

These officials, the minister said are not the ultimate authority and have therefore been issued with instructions under which they should operate.

“Those officers who were found to be high-handed have had to face disciplinary action. As a remedy, we now have an officer supervising about 3 roadblocks. We have issued clear instructions to the people on the roadblocks so that they know they are not the ultimate authority. If they are in doubt, let them refer the matter upwards on the chain of command. We have given instructions, when you are in doubt, refer the matter upwards. Don’t be the ultimate authority,” he said.

On the issue of technical problems in the issued stickers, Jeje said the matter has been brought to the attention of the Minister of Transport and Works and the problems are being addressed.

Jeje also announced that some drivers had forged stickers while others abused the power of the RDCs and have resulted into multiple arrests.

“By yesterday (Tuesday) we had 121 confiscated stickers but by evening of yesterday only 51 had been reclaimed. The other 70, nobody had bothered to come,” he said.

Out of the 51 who came to reclaim their stickers, 7 were forged. The 7 Jeje said were arrested and investigations are underway.

“We are continuing to discuss more regarding the stickers. If you are among those who have a sticker, go to the Ministry of Works and Transport and verify your sticker,” he added.