Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, on Saturday, February 18, confirmed that a senior police commander in Nakuru was recalled after overseeing a demolition exercise in the county, without consulting his seniors.
Speaking during a food distribution exercise to the victims in Rongai Constituency, the DP condemned the act describing it as inhumane and unjust to the locals.
Gachagua emphasised that the police commander should have protected the victims and their property instead of facilitating the demolitions.
The tough-talking second-in-command faulted the commander for proceeding to execute an operation without involving the county security committee and intelligence service.
Further, the DP noted that he had instructed the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, to take disciplinary action against the commander.
“I saw what happened here, and I almost shed tears. How can you offer protection for people destroying public property armed with guns meant to protect the people?
The commander has been recalled, and action will be taken. I have told the IG that the people have to be compensated,” DP Gachagua noted during his visit to the scene.
Gachagua distributed relief food to the victims, who had been left without a shelter since the demolitions on Thursday, February 16. He also offered iron sheets to help the victims erect new houses.
An investor arrived at the area claiming to have obtained an eviction order as the rightful owner of the contested area.
Earlier in the week, area Member of Parliament Paul Chebor stated that he was leading in seeking a consensus between the private investor and the people affected.
On Thursday, February 16, reports about a reorganisation of the security structure in Nakuru County surfaced, with sources indicating that a recently assigned commander to the area had been recalled.
When reached out for a comment, Police Spokesperson Resila Atieno was reluctant to comment on the reports noting that it was a “Human Resource” function within the National Police Service.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE