Kenya: Michuki Tells Police to Stop Harassment

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Jesse Mwangi

29 June 2011

The MP for Kangema has issued a stern warning to area police officers to stop harassing and extorting money from boda boda operators. John Michuki said hundreds of boda boda operators in his constituency have complained that police demand money from them on every trip, failure to which they are arrested and charged with other traffic offences. He said he will not allow the the officers to continue harassing the operators under the pretext of maintaining sanity on the roads.

Speaking in Kangema, Michuki blamed police for allowing criminals to go unpunished. “Why should you harass an innocent person struggling to make ends meet yet the criminals are still at large?” he asked.

Michuki demanded that names of corrupt officers be forwarded to the area security council after which he will give them to Internal Security minister George Saitoti to take disciplinary measures against them.

He said it is sad to see people who should protect the public frustrating the efforts of young people to counter joblessness in the country. “We want our young people to be assured of their security very time they go about their activities so that we don’t send them home or force them into crime,” said Michuki. The legislator advised the boda boda operators to observe traffic rules and stay away from crime.

Meanwhile area DO James Mugambi said crime is on the rise and is threatening development in the district. He said jobless youth are forming illegal groups to extort money from the public. “Being jobless does not give anybody a license to engage in any criminal activities,” said Mugambi.

He said the provincial administration will crack down on these groups.

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