The police have noted with serious concern, falsified terror alerts, warning of a terrorist attack, two weeks from the Nairobi incidents of 15th January, 2019; that is being spread on various social media platforms. Another version is of a woman called “Violet Kemunto alias Khadija” who is claimed to be armed, dangerous, ruthless, kills without mercy, assembles bombs, strips and constructs weapons of war; and is wanted by the Kenyan Police.
It is alleged that her last phone records were tracked in the direction of Uganda. The document that is not official, has Kenyan emergency lines and warns of potential attacks on soft targets in Katwe.
We ask the public to disregard such fake terror alerts, which are meant to give credit and publicity to terrorists. The country has no specific threats, although the police and sister security agencies continue to actively monitor and share information with the Regional Counterparts. We also want to add that no section of the public have come under increased scrutiny as alleged of arrests in Kisenyi.
The police will only release information including terror alerts upon accurate and honest acknowledgement of any real threats. The public is asked to go about their business normally without any fear.
POLICE INVESTIGATING ALLEGED ASSAULT OF JOURNALIST
The police in Lira are investigating an alleged assault of Bismack Olang, a radio journalist with Unity Fm, by Lira Mayor Mike Ogwang Olwa, while covering a story on “cancellation of tender for bodaboda revenue collection”.
You are all aware the IGP has offered to guard the space for journalists in his directive to all units. As a result the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, is fast tracking the matter to quickly bring the perpetrators to justice.
We however, note that the radio journalist was working alone, and we would like to caution all journalists about the dangers, risks and consequences of mobile journalism. We are all aware “No news item is worth a journalist life”.
Therefore, always carry out risks assessments before interviewing people or capturing a video.
From the summary of homicide in the last weeks of 14th – 20th January, 2019, we note that domestic related homicides are the biggest threat, and yet such murders come with warning signs of violence, threats and coercion against the victims.
As a result we have tasked our Child and Family Protection Officers and the Police at large to take interest on domestic violence situation, especially where they receive repeated calls for assistance on domestic violence; and evaluate the danger levels especially on couples or families at the stage of separating and those driven/influenced by alcohol, jealousy, threats or stalking behaviour. We have encouraged them to thoroughly document cases of stalking or escalating violence for the attention of the office of the DPP, PSAs and Judiciary (magistrates).
We urge members of the public who have knowledge of someone who is experiencing domestic violence to call on toll free lines 0800199699 or 0800122291 or police emergency lines 999 or 112 and report to the police
CP Enanga Fred
Public Relations Officer
21st January 2019
