Kenya outlaws 90 criminal groups to curb insecurity

The Kenyan government on Friday issued a directive that declared 90 groups criminal in a drive to avert insecurity as the East African nation prepares for the general elections in August 2017.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said in a gezette Notice that the directive means that any member of the banned groups would be arrested and charged.

Nkaissery said the directive aims at enhancing prevention, investigation and punishment of organized crimes in the country.

"It spells out tough measures to deal with criminal gangs by imposing jail terms ranging from 14 years to life imprisonment for those found guilty," he said in the notice.

Somalia-based militant group Al-Shabaab which operates along the common border of the two countries and frequently makes incursions into Kenya is one of the named gangs.

Kenya has been plagued by organized criminal groups, and police corruption has been blamed for worsening the situation.

Past reports show organized criminal gangs were behind most violence ranging from robbery, killing to beating in Kenya's urban slums while police officers were blamed for beatings and harassment linked to extortion.

Some police officers were also accused of colluding with these illegal groups as they allegedly ignored useful information from the public that may help stop the illegal activities. Endit