Nyamira Deputy County Commissioner Thomas Saka has denied claims that police from the region were arresting youths arbitrarily on robbery with violence allegations.
Saka, who was responding to questions from Journalists on Wednesday said the claims by a leading constitutional lawyer were ‘backward and unfounded’, and urged members of the public to work with the police to combat series of robbery with violence in the region.
Lawyer Steve Mogaka had condemned the authorities on Monday on what he termed as ‘serious’ violation of the constitution by holding suspects in cell without taking them for trial, citing a number of youths who were arrested in Bosamaro area and confined to police cells for five days as his basis of argument.
“As government officers, we are guided by principles of the constitution and claims that we were arresting and detaining some youths are basically unfounded and backward. We want those with evidence to bring them fourth so that the matter is deliberated,” he said.
Saka also said police were acting on information gathered from the public and only arrested youths who were linked with robbery with violence.
“Police are determined to ensure people live peacefully. They only arrest youths who are suspected on robbery with violence and no instance the suspects have ever been held in the cells without being arraigned in court,” he said.
Saka urged locals and politicians to work with the police to ensure incidents of robbery with violence in the region are fully combated.