Kisii County Commissioner Chege Mwangi has warned community policing members against using excessive force in their security operations.
According to Mwangi, the community policing members and vigilante are not police officers and their work is to inform the police on illegal activities in the societies so that police officers can make arrests.
This comes after Bochari constituency residents, led by Bomorenda Member of County Assembly (MCA) John Ombati claimed that Bomachoge community policing members use force by caning residents and arresting them, prompting them to demonstrate outside the county commissioner’s office.
Speaking on Tuesday during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Gusii Stadium, Mwangi warned the two groups, saying they have no right to perform duties of the police.
“Vigilante and community policing members are not the police officers and are not allowed to do what the police officers do. Their work is to report crimes to the responsible institutions for action to be taken,” said Mwangi.
Mwangi also challenged parents to watch over their children to avoid them joining criminal gangs.