Residents of Riooga village in Kitutu Masaba have questioned the conduct of a number of community policing members, accusing them of improper conduct and overstepping their mandate when executing duties bestowed upon them.
This comes moments after five youths were whipped and seriously injured on Sunday when they were allegedly found at the nearby road on their way to their respective homes at around 10pm.
Led by former Gesima councillor Mokaya Nyamboani, the residents threatened to write to the county commissioner if the area assistant chief failed to give a convincing report over the alleged misconduct of his officers.
“Kenya is a state guided by the rule of law and people cannot misuse their powers by overstepping their mandate. We demand that the assistant chief explains the circumstances that led to beating of the five youth’s failure to which we will seek answers from the count commissioner,” he said.
Mr Mokaya also called for suspension of officers who have allegedly been intimidating residents whenever they find them on an alleged wrong.
“Their roles are questionable because they are manhandling innocent people. We know some who are on record for asking bribes whenever they allegedly find someone on the wrong contrary to their ‘by-laws’. We want them to be sacked with immediate effect because they are substantial deviating from the core functions they should be doing,” he added.
However, assistant chief Peter Orina denied of any wrongdoing of his community policing team and said a baraza had endorsed a rule that required residents to be in their houses by 9pm.
“I think we had endorsed a resolution of having our people get to their houses by 9 o’clock. This was basically to combat insecurity and I think my officers are doing a good job. But the case they are putting forward can only be investigated and I am keen to get to the bottom of the matter and take a decisive action,” he said.