Youths in Ndumberi, Kiambu County have decried police harassment stating that they are mistaken for criminals.
Speaking on Monday during a youth meeting at Ndumberi, the youth leader Richard Muturi claimed that the youth in the area were being harassed by police officers over insecurity in the area.
He said that only a few members of the community have been engaging in crime but police were allegedly targeting youths who had set up their own businesses.
The youth leader explained that his role as their leader is to ensure that youths in the area are engaging in businesses that will keep them away from drug abuse and criminal activities.
He explained that through his efforts, most youths in the area had embarked on self employment.
However, he condemned the police in the area for discouraging the youths from engaging in business stating the police claim that the businesses act as hideouts for criminals.
He said that the accusations were wrong as most of those who engage in crime come from different areas.
“Youths in this area have reformed and anyone in the area can attest to that. They have embarked on self employment hence curbing cases of drug abuse and criminal activities among the youths in the area,” said Muturi.
He added: “However, it’s quite discouraging that police do not think people can change. We call upon the county government to help this harassment come to an end as most youths fear to operate their businesses because police will arrest them.”
Samuel Wambugu, a youth in the area, said that he was into drugs a year ago but due to the youth initiative in the area, he has managed to stop and has even started his own bodaboda business that generates income for him.
He however stated that police have been on their neck making them insecure in their business operations.
Wambugu urged the police to believe in them and vowed to ensure the youth are on the frontline of curbing insecurity in the area.