Eighteen schools are under security surveillance because the authorities believe they are used to radicalise students.
However, Nairobi county deputy regional coordinator Amos Mariba did not name the schools — all in the city — which are on the police watch list.
“We want to prevent terrorists from radicalising others,” Mr Mariba said.
This came as Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo appeared to order his officers to shoot to kill armed criminals.
“You are justified to use your firearm effectively. You have no control where the bullet is going to hit. It can hit the head or heart even when your aim is to disable that particular person,” Mr Kimaiyo said.
He added: “Let us not be afraid or scared of using our tool.”
Protect lives
Mr Kimaiyo questioned the purpose of purchasing firearms if the officers were not allowed to use them to protect lives and property.
Giving the Nairobi county Rapid Results Initiative report for the last 50 days at the Kenya School of Government, Mr Mariba said former security personnel in Nairobi were also being monitored to ensure they did not engage in crime.
He said police had been deployed to guard 42 key installations in Nairobi following threats of terrorist attacks.
Security personnel have further established a database of hardcore criminals in Nairobi and where they lived. Korogocho, Migingo and Baba Dogo have been listed among the crime hotspots in Kasarani.
Speaking at the same function, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku announced that more than 4,000 people had been arrested in the ongoing security operation in Nairobi and Mombasa.
He said it would be extended to other parts of the country.
Chiefs, police, national intelligence service, immigration and national bureau of registration officials would further be held accountable for criminal activities in their areas, as the government looks for a lasting solution to rampant insecurity.
Extra-judicial killings
Addressing top security officials and all 47 county commissioners at the Kenya School of Government, Mr Kimaiyo said the Constitution allowed police to use their firearms and that they should not fear doing so whenever they encounter armed suspected criminals.
His statement puts him at loggerheads with human rights groups which argue that shoot-to-kill is euphemism for extra-judicial killings.
Last week, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority chairman, Mr Macharia Njeru, warned that police officers who failed to justify their actions when they shoot criminals would be prosecuted together with their commanders.
Mr Njeru was apparently referring to a shoot-to-kill order issued by Mombasa county commissioner Nelson Marwa.
Mr Marwa gave the directive after gunmen opened fire on worshippers at a church in Likoni, killing six people and injuring 14 others.
But the Inspector-General got the backing of Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo who said “an officer should not lose his life trying to arrest criminals with bare hands.”
