New CID Boss George Kinoti Disbands Dreaded Flying Squad Unit

Newly appointed Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) George Kinoti has dismantled the dreaded Flying Squad unit and disarmed its officers in his first raft of changes at the department.

Daily Nation reports that the drastic decision was informed by allegations that some of the officers in the dreaded unit have been engaging in criminal activities and colluding with criminals to have them evade the hand of the law.

Officers previously attached to the unit have reportedly been ordered to surrender police equipment including handcuffs and police uniform with immediate effect.

Directorate of Criminal Investigation, where the squad had been operating under will reconstitute a fresh unit with new officers required to undergo special training before being assigned.

New Flying Squad Officers will be drawn from the General Service Unit (GSU) and a pocket from other police units.

The unit was constituted in 1995 following an upsurge in cases of car robberies and muggings in Nairobi city. It was later expanded to other parts of the country.

Its officers have been operating in plain clothes and on unmarked cars, their main task being to track hardcore criminals.

This will be the second time unit has been disbanded. In 2006, it suffered the same fate and was created afresh with its officers picked from paramilitary GSU.

New DCI Kinoti was appointed by President Kenyatta last month to take over from Ndegwa Muhoro, who was appointed by retired President Kibaki in 2010.