This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
On July 31, 2019, residents in Bungoma town took to the streets to demand the transfer of area deputy OCS Geoffrey Mongere over alleged corruption and harassment.
According to eyewitnesses, the deputy OCS has been accused of harassing boda boda operators after a crackdown that saw over 100 motor cycles nabbed at stages and garages.
Residents termed the security chief a tyrant who does not follow the right procedure when arresting law breakers and appealed to Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to transfer the deputy OCS.
“Why is it that those arrested are never taken to the court? This means the police are looking for bribes in the guise of enforcing the law,” they noted.
One Mpesa agent alleged that the deputy OCS extorts money from them, as little as Sh2, 000 each night, and those who fail to comply end up in Kangaroo courts where they are charged with offences they have not committed.
It is also claimed that the officer roughed up a pregnant woman who declined to part with Sh15,000 bribe and sources say the woman ended up miscarrying.
Furthermore, it is alleged that the officer demanded Sh100,000 from a senior Bungoma county government official to allow him bring in fake liquor from neighbouring country.
Traders said the situation is so dire that several traders in the industry have closed shop for fear of being harassed, arrested and fleeced of cash.
