By SAMMY JAKAA
Traders at Moding market in Teso North District have threatened to take the law in their hands over what they termed harassment by ‘unknown’ officers.
The traders said some people who often introduce themselves as police officers from Bungoma Police Station have continuously extorted money from them.
They said the officers claim they have been hired by a cigarette manufacturer to crack down on illegal cigarettes meant for export.
The officers are said to carry out their operations without notifying the police in charge of the area.
Retired Senior Chief Livingstone Omaset, who is also a businessman in the area, has asked the Government to take control of the matter before it gets out of hand.
"These people who claim to be police officers hired by cigarette manufacturers don’t even have the courtesy to report to the local police officers because Moding Police Post was not aware until we informed them," said Omaset.
The traders further claimed that the officers often use master keys to open their shops even in their absence, a situation that is affecting business in the region as investors shy away.
Last Friday, some of the officers escaped death narrowly after residents attacked and threatened to set their vehicle ablaze. It took the efforts of police officers from Moding Police Post to save them.
Importing cigarettes
The traders claimed they are small-scale businessmen and are not in a position to import cigarettes. They also argued that if the operation was genuine, the officers should use proper procedures and be accompanied by local police officers.
"They should also stop breaking into our premises without our knowledge," said John Murunga.
Teso Deputy OCPD Francis Wahome said the operation was carried out by Kenya Bureau of Standards and a cigarette manufacturer with officers from Malakisi Police Station.
He, however, argued that it was not procedural for officers from a different division to carry out such an operation without the knowledge of the local police, adding that police officers are supposed to show their identification cards because thugs may take advantage.
