President Uhuru Kenyatta has told police officers in Busia County to stop mistreating petty lawbreakers and instead target real criminals.
Speaking at Malaba Township Primary School on Friday after commissioning construction works for the Malaba-Angurai-Moding-Kawalun and Angurai-Rwatama roads, the Uhuru said concerns over insecurity at the border should not be taken for granted.
Uhuru was responding to questions from leaders from the county who wanted him to reign on rogue police officers who they claimed mistreat petty offenders.
Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong had asked the President to help avail more police officers to help tackle rising insecurity across the county.
"Police officers appear to target busaa brewers instead of pursuing real criminals who wreak havoc by hacking to death innocent residents," he said.
While ordering the police to stop the habit of harassing local brewers, the Uhuru cautioned them against excess drinking.
"Engage in moderate drinking and go and take care of your family," he said.
Teso North MP Arthur Odera raised concerns over the plight of clearing agents who have lost their jobs due to the East African Community treaty that bars trucks from stopping on the Kenyans side of the border.
Recently, Ojaamong complained that the move by the national government to deny border towns revenue and clearing agents jobs was attributed to arbitrary signing of EAC treaties without consulting affected parties.
"I will organize a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta and stakeholders to present our grievances on the impact of the EAC treaty among border counties," he said.
Uhuru ordered Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia to convene a meeting with Busia leaders in Nairobi on Monday to find an amicable solution to the problem.