5 September 2010

Nairobi — Newly appointed CID director Ndegwa Muhoro has vowed to clear the backlog of pending crime investigations.

Speaking to the Nation a week after taking office, he said crime would be reduced through proper investigations and suspects arrested, prosecuted and jailed.

"The preventive aspect in reducing crime is very important. The major deterrence is the realisation by a criminal that he or she will get caught," said Mr Muhoro.

The capability of the CID has deteriorated in recent years with many perpetrators of serious crimes like homicide easily escaping punishment.

The CID chief said he was aware of the battered image and vowed to restore it. "We should be able to get it right from the start and that is at the scene of crime. Experts (those trained in collecting and preserving) must visit every scene and legal officers also must be there," said Mr Muhoro.

To ensure investigations are on track, the director said deployments in units of the CID would be made in accordance with the officers' field of expertise.

However, Mr Muhoro said the department needs to be "facilitated" to meet the expectations.

He said: "There are challenges to be dealt with. Our officers need to be trained and equipped. The outfit should be equipped so that officers can pursue criminals to the ground."

He singled out the cyber crime unit as one of those that needs urgent attention.