KISII, Kenya, Jul 12- Police in Kisii are deploying new tactics to improve the strained relationship between Members of the Public and law enforcement agencies, after weeks of sustained tension.
The police in the area have been on the spot for allegations of meting violence on the locals, while enforcing COVID-19 protocols.
For example, a boda-boda operator died from police beatings while in custody in Rioma, leading to violent protests. The incident happened in June 23.
Two more people were shot dead during the running battles, while five others sustained gunshot injuries.
In an act of mending the broken ties, members of the National Police Service on Monday handed over a fully furnished house to a homeless family in Kisii, days after yet another familiar was the beneficiary of a similar project.
The family of ten, from the Nyagenke village, has been sleeping out in the cold.
“I am overjoyed that this is indeed coming from the police. I never imagined that it is the police who would rescue from this horrible situation,” the father of 10, Henry Nyabuto said.
His overjoyed wife, Josephine Moraa said the family had given up on ever owning a decent home.
“I am still in disbelief. I thank God for the police,” she said.
Kisii County Commander Francis Kooli said police in the country are now working towards offering community centered services, as a way to improve their working relationship.
Just a few days ago, Kooli led well wishers to construct a house for yet another needy family in the area, that was sleeping in a makeshift home under a banana tree.
“We were touched as human beings when we head of their story. That is the reason we moved with speed and assisted the family,” he told Shahidi News during the handing over ceremony.
Also present during the ceremony was aspiring Senator Okeng’o Nyambane.
“We will not give up to give hand in such needy cases,” Nyambane said. “We are just giving up to the society that raised us.”
Okeng’o Nyambane Foundation has been partnering with the police in helping the needy construct decent houses.
Lat week on Wednesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi and Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai went to Rioma, in an attempt to bridge the severed relationship between police and the locals.
Matiang’i had on Monday last week during the opening of the Inspector General of police’s conference assured residents that action would be taken against officers who break the law.
“I want to commit to the public that we will act and take decisions in the direction that the investigation is going to show us. If there are officers who were involved in making mistakes they will of course face the full force of the law,” he said.
Tension has remained high for weeks, as locals call for justice.
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