A Kenyan man, Collins Letting, has been arrested for setting up and running an illegal police station for six months in Uasin Gishu County.
The facility, painted in police colours, had detention cells and an office and was used to police the area, particularly targeting individuals with unlicensed timber from Cengalo Forest.
Despite operating for months, even the area chief was unaware the station was unauthorised. Police discovered the facility on March 8 and filed a report at Kamuyu Police Post.
“We were surprised to find a fully set-up facility painted in police colours, yet no authorisation had been granted for such an establishment in this area,” the police report reads in part.
According to the National Police Service Act 2014, only the Inspector-General of Police can establish police stations and patrol bases in Kenya.
Letting, a trader and political activist with previous legal issues, was reportedly close to a former MP, which led locals to believe the station was legitimate.
Residents, now in shock, have expressed concerns over security and the implications of such an operation.
Uasin Gishu County police commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed that investigations are underway to determine Letting’s motives.
“A team of security officers from the area are expected to visit the location of the said fake police station to get more information about the same, right now I have no information about the said fake police station,” said Mr Mwanthi.
Security officers from Kesses sub-county will visit the site and meet locals to gather more information. Mwanthi has assured residents that appropriate action will be taken to ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has condemned the operation of an illegal police post in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County.
Speaking in Mombasa at the opening of the newly built Mbaraki police station, which was funded by Mvita sub-county NGCDF, Kanja said that due process was not followed in establishing Kesses police station. He said they are looking into the matter to see how best to handle it.
Source: NTV Kenya
