A claim by prominent lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi that elite police units were extorting motorists in northern Kenya has sparked an unusual wave of public defence for the security services.
On Sunday, Abdullahi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that officers manning a roadblock near Archer’s Post in Samburu County; drawn from the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) and Border Patrol Unit; were openly demanding bribes.
He tagged senior government officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and PS Raymond Omollo, calling for accountability.
“Great road, great drive. A few kilometres from Archer’s Post you have this Special AP Anti-terrorism unit… open extorting and harassing Kenyans for bribes,” Abdullahi wrote.
Yet rather than triggering outrage against the police, the post prompted a backlash from Kenyans who argued the ATPU is one of the most disciplined formations in the country.
Many social media users accused Abdullahi of levelling unfounded claims and challenged him to provide evidence.
“I have driven that road to Moyale every year for the last 23 years. Those guys are very professional. They never compromise, they never take bribes,” one user responded.
Another added: “ATPU is the most effective security unit we have. Peddling lies about them is wrong in every way.”
Some critics suggested the lawyer may have been offended by routine security checks.
“Ahmednasir was asked to produce his identification documents and most likely he failed to comply,” wrote one commenter. Others went further, citing Abdullahi’s controversial record in the legal profession.
“If JurisCamel is wrong on his false bribery allegations against ATPU, it means he can be wrong on his motive behind JurisPESA allegations. Though it’s obvious there’s corruption in the judiciary, AA’s problem could be they refused to take his or he was outbid by someone.”
Kenya’s relationship with police officers has not been the smoothest for a long time. The relations were further strained after police brutality linked deaths during the June 2024 protests, and alleged abduction of critics.
The ties were further severed after policy makers like Interior CS Murkomen openly instructed police to shoot protesters who attempt to invade a police station, a guide that amounts to unjustified lethal force.
The Interior CS has been on a mission to mend the relations by organizing the daily ‘Jukwaa la Usalama’ forums where police outline their challenges alongside other citizens in forums that will aid in reforms.
