The Directorate of Criminal Investigations have arrested a man who was posing as a police officer in Kirinyaga East Sub-County .
The detectives apprehended the man and recovered several government stores in the process.
Acting on intelligence reports, detectives arrested the suspect, who, after interrogation, led them to his residence in Thika’s Makongeni area.
A search of his premises yielded a trove of government stores including two police smoke jackets, two jungle green trousers, a green prison lanyard, desert military boots, and a replica firearm, among other items.
The suspect was promptly taken into custody along with the recovered items.
Police said he is currently undergoing processing as detectives prepare for his arraignment.
“Detectives have since launched further investigations to determine the extent of the impersonation and whether the suspect has been involved in other criminal activities under the guise of law enforcement,” DCI said in a statement.
Under Section 101 of the National Police Service Act, impersonation of a police officer or wearing police uniform is explicitly prohibited.
According to the Act, a person other than a police officer who, without the written authority of the Inspector-General— puts on or assumes, either in whole or in part, the uniform, name, designation or description of a police officer, or a uniform, name or designation, resembling or intended to resemble the uniform, name or designation of a police officer; or in any way pretends to be a police officer for any purpose which he would not by law be entitled to do of his own authority, commits an offense.
The person shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Sh1 million or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years, or to both.
The National Police Service Act says that notwithstanding subsection (1) a person may, with the approval of the Inspector-General use police uniforms for artistic purposes.