Standard Sacco members accuse police of harassment

A contested newly created access road which was forcibly created by residents of Arusha Court to pass through Standard Sacco Court. [James Wanzala, Standard]

Members of Standard Sacco have raised concerns about alleged harassment by a certain police officer, following attempts to force a public road through their private property.

In a formal complaint submitted to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Sacco members accuse the police officer of colluding with officials from the Lands Ministry of using undue pressure, intimidation, and threats to force the construction of a public road through their property.

The members allude that Machakos County officers from the lands department are hell-bent on forcing a public road through their Court using unscrupulous means, a matter that has caused a rift between them and their neighbours, the Arusha Court block 29.

"We have reason to believe that some of the documents from the Machakos County Lands office could be fraudulent and forged and this has put their authenticity in question. The said documents have caused bad blood between the two courts which at some point resulted into bitter exchanges between residents of the two courts," read the letter by The Standard Court Residents Association Utawala.

According to the Sacco, the Machakos Lands Office has insisted on creating a public road through the gated Standard Court community causing its members a lot of anguish and untold suffering since there is no such practice that exists.

The actions of some of the officials in the Machakos lands department the Sacco said indicate that they have vested interest which puts their impartiality into question.

While urging the authority to intervene, the Sacco said such actions amount to an abuse of power and a violation of their constitutional rights.

"Even as we have continued to pursue all peaceful and available means to resolve this matter, the said officer is reported to be using his office to harass members of our Court and even intimidate other public officers including the local police officers at Muungano police station in Mavoko Sub County to toe his line," read part of the letter.

"Police officers speaking to us on condition of anonymity have confided in us that the said officer has threatened them with transfers from the station if they do not toe the line," it also read in part.

The Sacco reported it had already written to the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to investigate some documents that are emanating from the Machakos lands office which have been used to fuel the dispute between them and the Arusha Court block 29.

"Going by the conduct of this officer we are further apprehensive that he might interfere with the ongoing investigations and therefore want your office to intervene," they stated.

As the situation unfolds, the Sacco members remain steadfast in their demand for justice and the protection of their property rights.