A section of traders in Kipchamo ward, Uasin Gishu county are up in arms over what they claim is harassment and use of excessive force by the county enforcement officers.
This, the traders say has been happening in the ongoing fight against illicit alcohol in the area.
The traders on Friday pitched camp outside a chief’s office in Kipchamo where they demanded that their grievances be addressed.
“I had gone to the shops to buy bread for my family before the askari’s accosted me, beat me even without giving any explanation. If indeed they had come for a crackdown, why did they go for innocent people doing their own business,” narrated a local in the area, Joel Limo.
“It is good to be informed whether there is an ongoing curfew so that we can be closing shop on stipulated time. What wrong did we do to receive such beatings, if they were serious with cracking down on illicit brews, they should have gone to the dens and not disturb the peace at the trading centres,” added another trader Paul Lelei.
Area Ward Representative Gilbert Tenai condemned the incident saying harassment and use of excessive force were against the enforcement officers code of conduct.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno, however, said they had not received any formal complaints about the matter and challenged those affected to lodge formal complaints with the police for appropriate action to be taken.
“As a county, we have not received any information into the incident. I urge the locals to write an official complaint,” he said.
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