You escape killer gang, but fall into police hands

By Standard reporter

In areas hit by violence in Kirinyaga and Nyeri, residents say a lethargic police force has left them exposed and given rise to violent vigilante groups.

Since the Mathira massacre in which 29 people were killed, hundreds of officers deployed in the villages have been accused of being punitive and arresting the youth at random.

The General Service Unit (GSU) and Rapid Deployment Unit, a specially trained squad in the Administration Police, has roamed the countryside and urban centres, carrying out swoops.

The locals have accused security officers of massive extortion when they patrol the area to keep off members of the outlawed gang.

In one incident last week, some police officers nearly exchanged fire after those in the operation arrested a local colleague who was not in uniform, but was armed.

Denied claims

According to witnesses, the police officer was beaten as his colleagues shouted: "You have failed in your duties of providing security. That is why officers from outside the district have been called to assist."

However, police have denied the claims, saying the operation has been above board. Central Deputy PPO Gideon Amalla said his office had not received any complaints from the locals.

"Maybe the protests are from Mungiki gangs which want the operation called off so that they can continue with their wayward ways," he said.

No nightlife

The massive crackdown of the gang has dealt a major blow to nightlife in Nyeri and the nearby townships. Since the operation started a fortnight ago, the streets of Nyeri, Karatina, Othaya and Mukurwe-ini become empty as early as 6pm and residents live in fear of arrest.

"You have to be at home by 6.30pm or risk spending a night in a police cell," said a resident of Ruring’u estate, Nyeri.

A man who works at a car wash in Nyeri town claimed that he bribed the Rapid Response Unit with Sh1,000 so that the officers could not arrest him. The man, in his early 30s, alleged that the officers threaten youths with arrests so that they can part with money to secure their freedom.

 

 

Read all about: Central Province Vigilantes Mungiki Kamuiru village Kirinyaga district kangaroo court Kagumo town

 

 

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