By Robert Mutasi 
Tension is rising in the security sector in Uasin Gishu County after human rights organizations demanded a swift and independent investigation into the conduct of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Eldoret Central Police Station, Chief Inspector James Lenaso.
The groups, led by Centre Against Torture Director Kimutai Kirui and Juma Akumu from the Eldoret Social Justice Centre, announced that they have already forwarded their complaints to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, asking him to order an inquiry to establish the truth behind the allegations facing the OCS.
According to their complaint letter, Lenaso is facing three main accusations. First, he is accused of abusing his police powers. Second, he is accused of publicly posting names and photos of crime suspects on social media even before they are arraigned in court. Third, there are claims that some suspects have been asked for money in order to be released.
“Taking photos of suspects and circulating them online is against the law and is a big shame. The law says a person is innocent until proven guilty by a court. This is a violation of human rights,” said Kirui.
Kirui added that the act not only humiliates suspects but could also jeopardize cases in court as the community already perceives them as criminals before the cases are heard.
Juma Akumu said they were forced to write to the IG after receiving several complaints from Eldoret residents who claim they were asked for money at the station.
“People have come to us complaining. Some say they were asked for money to have their relatives released on police bond, which by law is free. We want the truth to be known. If it is true, then it is corruption happening inside the main police station in Eldoret town,” said Akumu.
The activists emphasized that their request is to ensure that investigations are conducted fairly and transparently, and not to condemn the OCS before the truth is established. They said they want to find out whether police procedures were followed as required by law.
“What we want is an independent investigation. We want to know whether powers were used properly. If there is no wrongdoing, then the officer’s name will be cleared. But if there are mistakes, action should be taken,” they said.
On his part, Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Wilberforce Shicharani said he had not yet officially received the complaints by the time he was contacted by journalists, and therefore was not ready to respond to them in detail.
He said, however, that the National Police Service has an internal mechanism for handling complaints against its officers and that any complaints submitted will be investigated.
So far, the allegations against Chief Inspector James Lenaso remain claims that have not been proven by independent investigative bodies.