Nairobi — Police say emergency number 999 has been restored to help curb rising crime in the country. In Nairobi, 22 lines have been allocated and police announced on Friday that they are all working round-the-clock.

"The lines are back," Nairobi Police chief Benson Kibui said, and cautioned users against calling the lines when they do not have emergencies to report. "There are those who have been calling when they have totally nothing to report, they just engage the lines."

The restoration follows public outcry and a case filed in court by civil society activist Okiya Omtatah last month.