BY ALBERT NYAKUNDI

Ifo police station OCS Isaac Noor has disarmed several junior officers and forcefully ordered them to report to new stations in Mandera and Wajir against directives of an earlier transfer signal.

Noor has allegedly been angered by his juniors who he has accused of leaking to the media his involvement in protecting cartels involved in smuggling contraband from Somalia into the country. Hot News on Monday exposed the rogue OCS.

The cops are now fearing for their lives and claim a signal dated March 23 2021 required them to report to their new stations after the end of both K.C.P.E and K.C.S.E examinations. The form four exams are ongoing and are expected to end on April 19.

Interestingly, the signal has been signed by a junior police officer Ransom Lolmodoni,the current Garissa county police commander instead of his boss regional commander Rono Bunei, since the transfers are across the region and not within the county.

Bunei and Noor, from the Gare community have been accused of tribalism.

Contacted,Bunei disclosed that he was aware of the allegations against Noor but did not say if he had taken any action. “I do not even personally know the officers who were transferred, I just received their names. Why didn’t they raise the issue before the transfer?” He told Hot News on phone.

One of the affected officers said, “Some officers have been working here for more than eight years. It is wrong and demoralising.” he said.

He said the decision to transfer them to Mandera where Noor hails from in a hurry is a revenge and calculated move to expose them to possible danger after disarming the officers.

A senior officer at Dadaab subcounty police station under which Ifo police station falls said Noor is getting personal.

He said, “Most of the officers have now been disarmed and are forced to pick their marching orders and leave,” said the officer who sought anonymity for fear of intimidation.

He said many officers affected by the transfers have served in the region for between six and eight years contrary to police standing orders. “This has caused tension, stress, and depression among the officers.” He said.

North Eastern region is considered a hardship area and an officer is required to serve for a maximum of three years before one is transferred to other regions.

On Monday during a meeting with officers, Noor allegedly vowed to discipline officers he claims betrayed him.

This has caused fears and tension at the station. “Mandera ni mchanga yetu na nitahakikisha hao askari kondoo wataendelea kukaa huko kwa hardship hata kama wamepitisha miaka”,he allegedly told the officers.

This is loosely translated as, “Mandera is my home-ground and those officers behaving like sheep will continue working in the hardship area even if they have overstayed in the region.”

Separately, Hot News has confirmed that last week two of the affected officers from Ifo police station were disarmed and forced to pick their transfer letters.

Noor refused to listen to the officers’ request for police escort since the officers felt unsafe to use public transport.

He denied them ample time to organise themselves before proceeding to their new stations.

The OCS instead ordered the two officers be charged with failure to obey a lawful order.

Hot News is in possession of the details of the charges against the two police constables’ number 85970 Yusuf Ismail and number 251264 Kirimi Mwenda.

The duo attached to Ifo police patrol base were booked in the Occurrence Book by sergeant Timothy Wekesa.

He oversees discipline, armory and police lines. “They picked the transfer letters in tears and proceeded to their new stations by bus.” Said an officer who sought anonymity.