Some alcohol sellers in Kaptembwa, Ng’ambo and Kwa Rhonda in Nakuru West are up in arms claiming local police are extorting money from them.
The sellers say that the habit was cutting deep into their business profits. Speaking to this writer, the sellers allege that the police are driving them out of business due to their increased demands for bribes.
The business operators said that police while claiming the drinking joints harbour criminals, resort to unwarranted raids and arrest of patrons and attendants. They say this results in frustration of business operations in the drinking joints.
“We are forced to give police money to avoid such situations that drive away patrons. Now, are we doing business to get money to bribe police?” posed an angry pub owner Zedekiah Onzerio.
Another pub owner in the area, Veronica Muthoni, said administrative police officers from the local chief’s camp were terrorising alcohol sellers and their patrons through illegal harassments and arrests.
“When they fail to get money they demand, they come and arrest patrons and attendants even during normal drinking hours. One is forced to look for money to pay up. This habit is becoming too much,” said the alcohol merchant.
Area Chief Samson Koech denied knowledge of the extortion scam but said police were mandated to patrol in the area daily.
“I have never received any complaints about police extorting money from local alcohol business people. All I know is that sellers and patrons who break the alcohol regulations law should be arrested,” he said.
He promised to investigate the allegations.