BY ALBERT NYAKUNDI
Some residents of Kaptama village, Mt Elgon in Bungoma County have accused a junior police officer of protecting illicit brewers and bhang sellers.
The officer identified as Shadrack Waunda based at Kaptama Police Station is said to be collecting a weekly protection fee of Sh 1000 from every brewer and drug seller.
Hot News established Wauda is a police copral, number P/no 96752.
“He only dramatizes arrests together with other junior officers and plants more exhibits on those who fail to comply. This includes former brewers who have since stopped the illicit business.” Said a former brewer who sought anonymity for security reasons.
Contacted, Bungoma county police boss Francis Kooli promised to investigate the matter.
Sought for comment on the allegations against him, the police copral said, “Publish another one you know.”
On January 29, at about 4 PM,a witness said Wauda stormed the village with his team and arrested several brewers.
The victims were set free after allegedly parting with shs 5000 bribe except one lady who stood her ground and demanded to be taken to court.
She was booked under OB 13/29/1/2023.
According to the lady, who requested anonymity for fear of intimidation, police never found chang’aa in her houses but still demanded Sh 20, 000 bribe which she declined.
“They never found chang’aa in the house, they took a black sky plast drum which I use to fetch water and went with it and upon reaching Kaptama Police station, the officer Shadrack Wauda demanded to be given ksh 20,000.” She said.
According to the lady Wauda went to the exhibit store, took 40 litres of chang’aa then planted on the lady.
The lady was arraigned and fined Sh 40000.
Residents have appealed to Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to investigate Wauda and take appropriate actions.
They accused him of boasting that he is “untouchable”.