“Natembeya Allies Tortured, KSh50,000 Stolen in Midnight Raids” — Rights Group Blasts RDU Over Kitale Crackdown

A storm is brewing in Trans Nzoia County after the Western Kenya Human Rights Watch accused security agencies of carrying out unlawful arrests, torture and intimidation during ongoing police operations in Kitale.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday evening, the organization’s Executive Director Job Bwonya condemned what he termed as “state-sponsored terror” targeting youths and close associates of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

Bwonya singled out officers attached to the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), accusing them of conducting violent night raids in Kiminini and other parts of Kitale.

According to the rights lobby, Bruce Wafula, Edwin Macheso, Ronnie Shangu and Obese were allegedly seized from their homes during odd hours before being subjected to severe beatings and torture.

“The suspects suffered serious physical injuries and are badly traumatized following the untold torture they underwent,” Bwonya said.

He further alleged that officers assaulted a 74-year-old woman after she questioned why they were beating her son during the operation.

The human rights defender also claimed that two mobile phones — a Neon Ultra and a Samsung Galaxy S10 — were confiscated by the officers, while KSh50,000 was allegedly stolen during a raid at the home of Governor Natembeya’s Chief of Staff, Dickson Wamocho.

Bwonya accused security agencies of selective application of the law, arguing that individuals associated with Governor Natembeya were being unfairly targeted under the guise of fighting criminal gangs.

He challenged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch immediate investigations into the conduct of the officers involved and ensure those linked to torture and abuse are prosecuted.

“We strongly condemn these unlawful practices and demand that security officers obey the Constitution and respect the rights of Kenyans,” Bwonya stated.

The rights lobby also criticized the arrest of Governor Natembeya’s aides — Chief of Staff Dickson Wamocho and Protocol Officer Frank Wabwile — terming the arrests “flimsy and politically motivated.”

Speaking at Kitale Police Divisional Headquarters, Wamocho questioned what he described as double standards in law enforcement.

He cited the case of one Mark Barasa, who was allegedly arrested two weeks ago, processed and later released without being arraigned in court.

Wamocho challenged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to explain why suspects linked to the “broad-based administration” were allegedly being treated differently.

In a further escalation of the standoff, Bwonya revealed that the Western Kenya Human Rights Watch would move to court to stop what he termed as “an illegal police operation ordered by Security CS Kipchumba Murkomen.”

Governor George Natembeya also weighed in on the matter, accusing security officers of turning the crackdown into a harassment campaign against innocent youths.

The outspoken county boss condemned a recent dawn raid at the home of his brother-in-law, Desmond Shivachi, describing the operation as barbaric and unnecessary.

“The operation has now become an excuse to harass residents and rob them of their valuables under the pretext of fighting gangs,” Natembeya claimed.

The former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner warned that he would personally intervene to stop the police operation if the government fails to address the alleged excesses by security officers.

The allegations now pile fresh pressure on IPOA and top security officials amid growing public concern over police conduct in Trans Nzoia County.