There has been a loud and clear public protest in response to police officers at the Mosoriot Police Station, Nandi County, who are said to have raided homes and taken away cows, sheep, and household items without showing any court orders.
This has led the residents to consider the actions as illegal and the property as stolen. According to witnesses, the heavily armed police officers entered the houses during the night, took by force the livestock, and even threatened the occupants if they dared to ask about their power.
Abraham Keter from Saniak village, Chesumei sub-county, told the most shocking story of all. He said that more than eight policemen entered his yard at around 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, taking away six of his milk cows, and he was beaten with a rifle butt when he tried to get an explanation.
Keter said that the officers took the cows and loaded them onto a lorry that was waiting and that he was left with only barren heifers, a loss that he fears will completely ruin his family’s financial situation.
Didmus Kiprotich, another victim, said that the policemen came to his place a day before and took two milk cows and two calves worth about KSh400,000, but no proper document was ever shown to confirm the action.
Both of them assert that they were never given a court order that would have permitted the taking of their property or auctioning, something that is mandated by Kenyan law and is to be provided to the authorities before the confiscation of assets for debt recovery or enforcement actions.
Residents claim the raids were not limited to cattle only. During the action, electronic goods and other household items were also taken, with locals accusing the authorities of running a racket in unlawful auctioneering disguised as official debt enforcement. Community leaders put the total toll at least including 16 dairy cows, 11 sheep, and various items of electronics, which raised the question of widespread property violations with no legal remedy.
The tension reached its peak on Monday, January 19, when furious inhabitants marched to Mosoriot Police Station, not only asking for the return of their confiscated property but also for the officers in charge to be charged with abuse of power. The demonstrators warned that if the alleged misconduct was not dealt with, this would result in wider demands for accountability and national oversight bodies intervening.
The police have made it clear that they are still investigating the disputed confiscations and have assured that the animals will be returned by Monday afternoon, even though the residents are calling for independent investigations and the dismissal of the implicated officers.
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