AP officers go into hiding, switch off phones after assault saga

Assistant Chief Gideon Kimanzi was allegedly assaulted by the officers.  [PHOTO: PHILIP MUASYA/STANDARD]

By PHILIP MUASYA

KITUI, KENYA: Two Administration Police (AP) constables at Nyanyaa AP Camp in Kitui County have absconded duty and gone into hiding, two days after defying their boss’s order transferring them from the post.

Kitui County AP Commander James Mwaniki and Mwingi Central AP boss Hussein Ali on Monday spent the better part of the day at the post waiting to talk to the officers but they failed to show up.

They were said to have fled the camp and switched off their mobile phones after enraged villagers launched a manhunt baying for their blood.

The post was established late last year after 14 people were brutally killed by a gang.

“I couldn’t get them on their mobile phones. I have left instructions that they should report to the sub-county commander and record statements. Their actions amount to gross misconduct and they must be disciplined. For now, they are no longer at Nyanyaa AP Post,” said Mwaniki after the officers snubbed him.

On Sunday, the officers became unruly and told Ali off for trying to replace them pending investigations after they were accused of beating up area assistant chief Gideon Kimanzi the previous day.

CAUTION

Ali, however, disarmed the two as new officers he had brought in broke into their houses and threw their belongings out.

Tuesday, Ali confirmed that the officers had not reported to him and he did not know their whereabouts, adding, “Nyanyaa is safe. We have new officers. Let those ones come so we can discuss the matter.” 

The villagers vowed not to allow the two back in the area even as the AP spokesman, Masoud Mwinyi, who spoke to The Standard on phone, warned chiefs and their assistants against acting in a manner that could incite the public against AP officers.