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End of an Era: Michael Mwangi's tenure as Nakuru County Commander comes to an end

Former Nakuru police commander Michael Mwaura addressing the press on June 9, 2025. 

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

By  BRET SANYA

Correspondent

Mtaa Wangu

Nakuru has a new County Commander. Emmanuel Opuru's arrival marks the end of Michael Mwangi’s tenure, a period during which the county was repeatedly in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

From vigilantes patrolling the city to a spate of robberies and violent crimes, the first half of the year painted a worrying picture of Nakuru’s security situation. At the centre of it all was the former County Commander, Michael Mwangi.

May was a particularly dark month. Fear and tension gripped Nakuru after a spate of murders shook the city and its surrounding areas.

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It began with the cold-blooded killing of 53-year-old Jackson Mwangi Macharia, who was shot dead in front of his shop.

Similar incidents followed over the next few weeks in Ngata, Upper Hill and Freehold estates, all with an eerily similar modus operandi. The murders sparked public outrage, with some residents openly calling for the reinstatement of former police chief Peter Mwanzo.

As insecurity persisted, June brought another bizarre twist. On June 5, 2025, groups of young men armed with crude weapons were spotted patrolling Nakuru’s city centre. They claimed to be providing security, but their presence raised eyebrows.

The police commander denied authorising these vigilantes, yet they operated openly for days, right under his watch.

Barely a week later, tragedy struck again. A young man was fatally shot by police in a London estate. The killing ignited public fury and unearthed deeper allegations, ranging from police operating outside their jurisdiction to officers taking bribes from drug dealers.

Protests erupted, with residents blocking the Nakuru–Kabarak Road for three consecutive days as they demanded justice for the victim.

The situation escalated further during the June 25 and July 7 (Saba Saba) protests. What began as demonstrations quickly spiralled into chaos, with thugs breaking into shops, vandalising property and leaving many business owners facing huge losses.

However, with Emmanuel Opuru now in charge, the town has a fresh opportunity to turn over a new leaf. The challenges are clear, the wounds are still fresh, and public trust must be rebuilt.

Karibu sana, Afande.