STATEMENT BY STATE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON, MANOAH ESIPISU, ON INCIDENT INVOLVING BMW REGISTRATION GK A374E

Following extensive media coverage, some containing serious factual errors, I would like to clarify this matter.

First. We would like to confirm an incident involving a BMW 735, purchased in 2000, and belonging to the Kenya Police Service, registration number GK A374E, and using civilian number plate KAW 479Y.

Second. On Wednesday, at 9.30 pm, the car’s driver, Chief Inspector Machui of the Kenya Police Service, was accosted by four armed men near Ruai, Nairobi. The men drove the Chief Inspector around the city for a few hours, setting him free at about 2.30 am at Mihango, next to the Administration Police Training College, Embakasi. They roughed him up but he is not in distress. He was robbed of KShs 60,000 in cash and a mobile phone.

Third. The men took off with the vehicle, which is used for police business. A search was immediately launched but the car is yet to be recovered.

Four. This was an ordinary car. It is not armour-plated. It is not a limousine. It is not part of the Presidential fleet. It is not a Presidential Escort car.

Five. As the government always emphasizes, security is a shared responsibility and all drivers should be aware of their surroundings at all times to avoid such incidences. Statistics clearly show a drop in crime in our nation’s capital in recent months and in other parts of the country. And further gains can be guaranteed by vigilance by all Kenyans.