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The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is calling for the urgent transfer of Kisii County Police Commander Charles Kasses following recent outbreaks of violence at events attended by Kisii Governor Simba Arati. The party asserts that Governor Arati’s life is at risk.
Addressing the media in Kisii on Friday, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna suggested that Kasses and his officers ignored the violence that occurred at two separate events organized by Arati on January 6 and January 8, 2024.
Sifuna explained that during the January 6 incident, individuals with alleged ties to South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro disrupted a funeral attended by Arati in South Mugirango, openly firing arrows at mourners despite the presence of police. Sifuna reported that the incident was filed at Nyamarambe police station, but none of the identified culprits have been arrested.
Just two days later, while Arati was distributing bursary forms in Nyakembene, South Mugirango, armed individuals disrupted the event.
“The ODM party expresses serious concern about the life and safety of its National Vice-Chair and Kisii Governor Simba Arati following repeated violent attacks perpetrated by known persons in broad daylight with what appears to be tacit support and collaboration with elements in the security forces,” said the Nairobi Senator.
Sifuna further alleged that four individuals acting on Osoro’s orders were members of the National Police Service.
“It turned out that those gunmen were police officers. One of the officers captured firing at the crowd with an AK47 rifle was identified as one Kevin Lagat of Force Number 26085, a police constable attached to Osoro,” he added.
“Others are Simon Muriithi of force number 119319 and Peter Muge of force number 239197, all stationed at Nyanchwa Police Station. One officer, Morris Kiambi, is believed to have been ferried from his station of duty in Lang’ata, Nairobi to participate in the attacks. It is suspected that Lagat has been transferred to Parliament Police Station since that incident.”
Sifuna condemned Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Japhet Koome for failing to address the attacks, claiming that the police are planning a raid on Arati’s residence under the pretext of searching for illegal firearms.
“We take this opportunity to condemn the actions of Osoro and the police and demand that the Police IG immediately transfer the Kisii County Commander and that action must be taken against the officers identified in the attacks. They should be interdicted as they await their date with justice,” said Sifuna.
“Osoro should be asked to report a statement with the police if he has become too powerful to be arrested. IPOA also must commence investigations into the abuse of police power in Kisii County.”
Sifuna emphasized that ODM’s demands must be fulfilled within a two-week timeframe; otherwise, the party will explore alternative avenues to address the incidents.
“Should any harm come to our party’s National Vice Chair and Governor of Kisii Simba Arati, as a result of any subsequent attack against him, the persons named here, including Osoro, Police Commander Charles Kasses, and the IG of Police, will be held personally responsible,” he said.
