CRIMINAL GROUP OR A MOVEMENT?

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i yesterday outlawed the new Opposition  outfit 
National Resistance Movement as a criminal group through a gazette notice.The notice came out barely an hour after the National Super Alliance (NASA) swore in the coalition’s principal Raila Odinga as the 'People's President'. In the gazette notice dated January 30, Matiang’i said he was exercising his powers as per Section 22 Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 2010.
Through this gazette notice, the authorities now have the powers to arrest and prosecute all members allied to or belong to National Resistance Movement according to the law. The Prevention of Organized Crimes Act  of provides for a fine of Sh500,000 or a jail term of 10 years or both for such individuals.
In 2010, the Interior ministry outlawed some 33 criminal gangs which included terror group Al Shabaab. Others were 42 Brothers, Jeshi la Embakasi and  Jeshi la Mzee. According to Section 22 on Prevention of Organized Crimes, an organized criminal group means a structured group of three or more persons existing for a period of time and acting in concert with the aim of committing one or more serious crimes.The Act described a structured group as that one which does not have defined roles for its members. Serious crimes An organized criminal group, according to the Act, is also one that commits one or more serious crimes. The Act also outlaws administering of oaths where a person who is present and consents to administering of any oath or engagement in the nature of an oath purporting to bind the person who takes it, belongs to an organized criminal group or engage in an organized criminal activity.