By Tobias Ogutu
The Kenyan Constitution of 2010, under Article 29, states that no person shall be subjected to torture or any other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Similarly, the National Police Service Act of 2011 mandates that police officers must first attempt to use non-violent means. Force may only be used when non-violent methods prove ineffective and must be no more than and necessary in the under circumstances. However, all these provisions often exist only on paper; in reality, the opposite happens. The majority of the officers are rough when making arrests and do not frequently follow the law. Such Incidents are rampant in Nyalenda A, Kisumu County.
On October 18, 2025, during an open chief baraza held at the UDS CBO Grounds in Nyalenda, residents expressed their frustrations and hardships experienced at the hands of the police. Chiefs and their assistants from Nyalenda A and B, Manyatta A and B, and Obunga were present. The OCS officers from Simba, Kassagam, Kondele, and Obunga police stations also attended. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen peace between civilians and the police.
The civilians expressed their frustrations and recounted how the police have been harassing them. Mary Anyango bravely described how the police stormed her home searching for her son, who was involved in a fight with another boy in the estate. To Anyango’s surprise, the police harassed and arrested her after discovering that her son was not at home. Anyango recounted how the police slapped and kicked her when she asked why she was being arrested on behalf of her son. According to Anyango, the officers promised to release her only if her son presented himself at the station. Anyango had to spend a night at Kassagam Police Station before her immediate relatives intervened the following morning to secure her release. Without fear, Anyango openly stated that the officer who arrested her took one thousand Kenyan shillings in cash for her release.
Although the OCS of Kassagam Police Station claimed that he had not heard of Anyango’s case, eye witnesses present during the arrest and harassment confirmed the account.
Steve Abuka also recounted how officers from Simba Police Station in Nyalenda B stormed his house without a search warrant, ransacked the premises, beat him, and left without making an arrest. According to Steve, the officers claimed that the smell of marijuana was coming from his house. They beat him while demanding the marijuana, even though he had none. After a thorough search, the officers found no marijuana and left, leaving Steve injured.
John Odhiambo, a tenant in the K’Lego area, reported that officers from Kassagam Police Station frequently storm his house searching for illicit brews. According to Odhiambo, the only reason the police repeatedly raid his home is that he rents a house in a neighborhood known for brewing illegal alcohol. Odhiambo wonders why the officers continue to raid his house despite his assurances that he is not involved in the illegal business.
Although the senior officers present at the meeting promised the public positive change, the civilians remain skeptical and requested that their concerns be forwarded to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. The public also stated that some actions taken by junior officers are directed by their superiors.
