Reports of systematic bribery and abuse of police authority have emerged from Lolgorian Police Station in Narok County, where officers are accused of collecting money from every business in the area, including shops, wines and spirits outlets, bars, clubs, and betting shops, on a regular basis every Wednesday and Saturday.
The officer identified as the primary collector of these illegal levies is Kipsang, a police vehicle driver, who allegedly goes door to door demanding payments from business owners under the protection and facilitation of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Mr. Chirchir, and his seniors.
Business owners in Lolgorian, who have been subjected to this routine extortion for a prolonged period, say the illegal collections have become so entrenched that they now operate like a scheduled tax, with the money being collected on the same days each week without fail, and those who refuse or fail to pay are reportedly subjected to intimidation and harassment.
The affected traders are now appealing for urgent intervention from the relevant authorities, including the Inspector General of Police and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) as they fear speaking out publicly but hope that exposure will prompt a thorough investigation and put an end to the illegal collections that have turned their businesses into targets for exploitation.
"Hello Nyakundi. Please expose what is happening at Lolgorian Police Station. Officers collect Ksh 200 from every business in the area, including shops, wines and spirits outlets, bars, clubs, and betting shops, every Wednesday and Saturday. The officer who normally goes around collecting the money is Kipsang, a police vehicle driver. This operation is being protected and facilitated by Mr. Chirchir, the OCS of Lolgorian Police Station, together with his seniors. This is a systematic collection of bribes from businesses and a serious abuse of police authority. It needs urgent investigation and exposure. Please look into this matter and give the affected business owners a platform to speak out."
