Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns over the existence of parallel police units, arguing that their operations outside the Inspector General’s command undermine the authority of Inspector General Douglas Kanja.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 4, the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) leader questioned whether Kanja had information about the whereabouts of missing High Court Advocate Abshar Ahmedsadak Abdi following a court directive requiring him to account for the lawyer.
Sifuna maintained that the Constitution provides for an independent National Police Service headed by the Inspector General, who is mandated to enforce law and order without interference or direction from external authorities.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. Photo: Courtesy.
He argued that the emergence of security units operating outside the IG’s control weakened this constitutional arrangement and made it difficult to hold the police leadership accountable for missing persons.
The senator further stated that Linda Mwananchi Movement was pushing for respect for constitutional provisions and the rule of law to prevent cases in which individuals disappear without security agencies providing answers.
He drew parallels between Abdi’s disappearance and the case of Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya, suggesting that Kanja could again appear before the court and state that he was unaware of the missing person’s whereabouts.
His remarks followed a directive by Milimani High Court Judge Alexander Muasya Muteti requiring the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and other security agencies to produce Abdi, dead or alive.
The judge ordered the agencies to present the lawyer before the court by 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11.
The directive came a day after Kanja appeared before the court over Mwaipaya’s whereabouts. The police chief told the court that the Tanzanian activist had not been booked at any police station in Kenya and denied any police involvement in his alleged abduction.
Earlier, LMM Head of Communication Pauline Njoroge alleged that unknown individuals abducted Mwaipaya on October 25 in Kamulu, Machakos County, while he was travelling in a taxi.
Njoroge called on Kenyan authorities to establish his whereabouts, ensure his safety and prevent any possible forced removal from the country.
