Residents of Kehancha in Kuria West Sub County have decried what they said was extortion and harassment by police officers attached to Kehancha police station at the Kenya-Tanzania border.
Two victims reported to police what they said was of extortion by some rogue police officers during separate incidents.
The incidents were reported at Kamagambo and Kehancha police stations.
On Tuesday, John Kerongwe, a businessman said he was confronted by three people he said were police officers at a Kehancha hotel where he was taking breakfast with his wife and friends.
He said the “officers” dragged him and three of his friends into a store within the hotel and robbed him of Ksh 10, 000 before hurriedly fleeing away.
“They told me I cannot eat my money alone and with a few police friends. I wondered what crime is it if I spend my money as I please.” Kerongwe told Hot News on phone.
He said he has since reported the matter at Kamagambo police station under OB number 29/19/3/2019.
The second victim Kerati Muriri said he was woken up on Friday morning allegedly by plain clothes police officers who claimed they are attached to the Anti Terror Police Unit in Isebania and wanted to search his house for a gun.
“They told me to keep quiet or they would shoot me dead. After the search they did not get any gun. They took my car logbook and two pangas.” Muriri said.
He claimed the officers took him to Kehancha police station where they demanded a Sh 500, 000 bribe to release him.
“I asked what the bribe was for but one of them told me they would charge me as a conman and jail me. I asked them if anyone had complained against me but they told me to shut up. I was forced to part with Ksh 200, 000 to secure my freedom. I have evidence of receipts from an ATM machine at Isebania.” He said.
Muriri said he reported the incident at Kehancha police station under OB number 18/23/3/2019
Migori county police Chief Joseph Nthenge speaking on phone said he was not aware of the incidents and promised to act.
“Kindly send me the OB numbers so that I can follow up the matters and establish the truth.” Nthenge said.
Muriri says he fears for his life and has appealed to the director of criminal investigations George Kinoti to intervene.