Rogue officer arrested in Langata for extorting shops, bar operators

The suspect was arrested on Friday night and booked at Langata Sub County Police Station. [Courtesy]

Police in Nairobi have arrested a rogue officer attached to Nairobi’s Nyayo Police Post for allegedly extorting shops and bar operators and threatening them with arrest.

According to victims, Cosmus Mwema, service number 83479, walked into Rings Pub in Langata and ordered the operator to send him Sh527 via M-Pesa or risk arrest.

At Mabatini Bar near Langata High School, Mwema demanded more money which was wired to his M-Pesa account.

“He threatened to arrest anyone who failed to send him the money and we had no otherwise,” one of the victims.

The victims accuse the cop of visiting the place every Friday and collecting Sh1000 from shops and bars before leaving the area.

He was arrested at 7 pm on Friday and booked at Langata Sub County Police Station after the victims reported the matter.

"It is not the first time he is coming here to extort us, it has become a routine, every Friday he comes around demanding Sh1000," one of the victims told the police

From the records, Mwema has been away from duty since June 2 this year.

“He deserted duty and no longer goes to work. He has been away since June this year and has never been seen.”

The officer will be arraigned next week to answer to extortion charges among others.