Police Headquarters has noted with concern the erroneous story about a new police unit supposedly ‘set up’ by the Commissioner of Police to fight crime carried in today’s Standard under the headline: “Ali’s new attempt to beat back crime wave.”

The story is factually incorrect. There is no unit in the Kenya Police known as “NOVEMBER SQUAD” as alleged in the story.

Police Units are created in accordance with laid down procedures and their existence made public through official channels. There has not been any need for the creation of an additional unit in the Kenya Police.

Responsible journalism requires that writers and editors confirm the authenticity of their stories with credible official sources to avoid publishing erroneous and misleading stories.

To support this, Police Headquarters has always welcomed properly addressed inquiries in the public interest from journalists on police and security matters.

(GIDEON M. KIBUNJAH)
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

9th August 2006