A storm is brewing in Kwa-Vonza, Kitui Rural Constituency, after furious residents and businesspeople accused police officers at Kwa-Vonza Police Station of turning the station into a “cash collection center.”
Led by Kwa-Vonza Business Traders Association Chairman Mr. Pius Mwanzia, the locals have issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police through the National Police Service to immediately transfer four officers whom they claim have been extorting bribes from complainants seeking justice.
“We are tired of being milked dry every time we go to file a report. These officers demand money before offering any assistance. It’s no longer a police station—it’s a bribe booth,” said Mr. Mwanzia in an exclusive interview with Channel 15 News.
He added that if the said officers are not transferred within a week, the community would stage a massive demonstration at the station to forcefully eject the officers.
“This is our home and we won’t allow rogue officers to continue intimidating and harassing us. If they’re not out in seven days, we’re marching to the station ourselves,” he declared defiantly.
However, in a swift response, Lower Yatta OCPD Festus Mukuru dismissed the allegations, stating that no formal complaints had reached his office regarding widespread bribery at Kwa-Vonza Police Station.
“As far as I’m concerned, we’ve not received any official complaint from the public about bribery. There’s only one isolated case that is under investigation, and the file has already been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice,” Mukuru told Channel 15 News.
The brewing tension sets the stage for a potential standoff between the local community and the police service in Kitui Rural, as the spotlight now turns to the National Police Service to act swiftly—or risk facing public backlash.
