Nakuru residents accuse police officers of peddling drugs, colluding with criminals
Joseph Akach a resident from Flamingo during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
Nakuru residents have welcomed the move by Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki to have all police officers who have stayed in one station for more than three years transferred from their stations, effective Wednesday March 20,2024.
Prof. Kindiki made this announcement during his Nakuru visit on March 12,2024.
In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, a resident from Flamingo, Joseph Akach says they are eagerly waiting for the transfers to be effected.
He notes that rouge police have been the biggest enemy in the fight against crime and insecurity in Nakuru.
“We have had police who have been serving in stations for more than ten years, contrary to what is captured in the three years transfer policy. Consequently, they have now been aiding crime in the community,” he says.
Akach reveals that in his estate, police have been the number one drug hawkers, noting that police officers can arrest people selling bhang in Flamingo, then end up reselling the bhang in other areas like Bondeni or Kivumbini and release the culprits after collecting bribes from them.
Additionally, he says police have exceedingly intermingled with community members to an extent of being compromised.
“Police officers marry our daughters and women in these estates. Senior inspectors then become the protectors of the women who run illicit brew dens, such that junior officers cannot make any arrests there,” he reveals.
Aden Ogutu a resident from Kaptembwo says he is looking forward to the police transfer to see whether crime will reduce in Nakuru.
Another resident from Kaptembwo, Aden Ogutu, says the government should not allow police to stay in one station for more than two years.
“In Racecourse, police come every evening to collect ‘Gitate’ (a share of money given by people running illegal businesses). Therefore, illicit brew, drugs and mugging continue to be a thorn in the flesh of residents, yet the police are the biggest players in the game,” Ogutu tells Mtaa Wangu.
Mr Muchiri Kimani, from Racecourse says that even as police officers look to be transferred, the government should also protect Nyumba Kumi elders.
“Nyumba Kumi people have been playing a critical role as far as identifying criminals and criminal activities by promptly reporting them to police. However, they end up putting their life at risk if the case lands in the hands of rouge police officers who work with the criminals and later attack the Nyumba Kumi elders,” he laments.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki accompanied by County commissioner Loyford Kibaara, while on his visit in Nakuru to meet the county security enforcement team on March 12, 2024.
Responding to the issue, Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara says, the move of the interior CS will play a great part in the fight against organized crime and illicit brew.
“The incoming lot of police officers have no interaction with the community as those who have served here for ages nor do they have interests to protect. Therefore, this will help weed out conflicted police officers and bring in officers ready to enhance security in the county,” he says.
This transfer will see at least 42,500 police officers transferred to other stations across the country.