Two men were arrested last week for allegedly intimidating Nairobi businessman Naushad Merali and later facing police harassment, according to statements from Joseph Waswa and Isaac Wajecheke.
Waswa described encountering a vehicle near his Karen home on January 31, with individuals later identified as police officers. He claimed the group followed him and threatened his family. "There was a car that had been parked outside my home in Karen for several days, and the people inside were not known to me," Waswa told media.
The suspects were detained between January 24 and February 1, during which they allegedly paid 190,000 shillings to a police officer and 100,000 shillings to another individual. Waswa alleged that officers pressured them to pay fines through a system known as "OB" (likely referring to a local payment mechanism).
Waswa claimed a police officer named David Omore threatened him, stating, "Each person is not safe until they are proven innocent. I am deeply concerned this officer is involved in illegal activities." He also alleged Omore had previously threatened to kill him.
The suspects reportedly seized 190,000 shillings from Waswa's wife, who has a medical condition, and another 100,000 shillings from Waswa himself. They also claimed police searched their home and threatened to evict them.
Waswa and Wajecheke were each fined 100,000 shillings and ordered to report weekly to the DCI office. Wajecheke was fined 50,000 shillings, while another individual, Simiyu, received 47,000 shillings.
