Locals alarmed by sorry state of Kaptembwo Police Station

Kaptembwo Police Station. Residents have decried its sorry state. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

A police post that was elevated to a police station a year ago is in a poor state that has left residents complaining.

Kaptembwo Police Station, formerly a police post before Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i uplifted it in May 2018, has no permanent offices and other crucial amenities.  

Last year, Dr Matiang’i said the elevation of Kaptembwo would see more officers posted to the station and the infrastructure improved.

But according to police officers interviewed, Matiang'i's has not kept his word.

“The elevation has only been done on paper. There are no offices to accommodate both the OCPD and officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations," said an officer who sought anonymity.

He noted that the newly posted Sub-county Police commander has been forced to operate from Rhonda Police Post which has better facilities.

Under a tree

Attempts to reach the OCPD were futile. He was said to be on duty away from the station. When journalists visited the station, dozens of residents, many of them seeking to report gender-based violence cases, were being served under a tree.

Speaking to The Standard, Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama said Sh6 million from the Constituency Development Fund had been allocated for the refurbishment of the station.