Tension in Majengo as police, youth clash

Youths surround a police van in efforts to save their mates who were arrested at Majengo market after a police officer was beaten and injured in the town on Saturday. The youth are accusing the police of extortion and unfair arrests. [PHOTO: ERIC LUNGAI/STANDARD]

Vihiga; Kenya: Tension has gripped Majengo centre in Vihiga County after a standoff between the police and the youths operating in town escalated, with a police officer beaten and injured last week.

The youth are accusing the police of extortion, brutality and unnecessary arrests among other ills.

On Saturday, Governor Moses Akaranga was forced to intervene and talk to the youth.

"Over the past few months, the police have become a problem in this town. They just strike whenever they feel like, taking some people to the cells even if one has done nothing wrong," said Adran Kimiya, the chairperson of the market traders.

Mr Kimiya says most traders in the town are operating in fear because the police are threatening them often, which has had adverse effects on their businesses.

The youths said police often come in civilian clothes and unmarked police vehicles which are parked at strategic places in the market.
Linet Dalizu, a businesswoman in the town, said police in the area do not respond to cases of insecurity in the villages despite their numbers having been boosted and given 15 vehicles. But they are always very quick to arrest youths in the town.
"We only see the police in the town harassing people. But when you are attacked back in the village, they will arrive the following day," said Ms Dalizu.

bring sanity

But the County Police commandant Sarah Duncan says the arrests are a deliberate effort "to bring sanity to the town" as previous attempts to talk to the youth have borne no fruit.
And speaking at the governor's gathering, Vihiga OCS Judith Nyongesa said the youths are a threat to the security and police will not relent in arresting them whenever it deems fit.