Injured police officers in Narok East constituency have expressed their frustrations following abrupt transfers to high-risk operation zones, a decision made shortly after the violent clash at Duka Moja Market.
The incident, which started as protests over a speeding vehicle killing 39 sheep, escalated into deadly confrontations between residents and police, leaving nine officers injured.
One officer had his hand chopped off, and his firearm was stolen during the chaos.
Despite their injuries, these officers are now facing what they describe as punitive and politically motivated transfers.
The transfers affected over 100 officers, including those recovering from injuries sustained in the Duka Moja incident.
Many were ordered to relocate within 72 hours to far-flung, high-risk areas such as Turkana.
This sudden decision has been criticized as inhumane, especially for the injured officers who are still dealing with both physical and emotional trauma.
According to reports revealed by blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, these transfers were done quietly within the Rift Valley region, raising concerns about the motives behind the move.
It is suspected that the transfers were influenced by local political forces aiming to protect individuals involved in the violent clashes.
One officer anonymously revealed, “Some of us were in the ICU, still recovering, and now we are being sent to Turkana.
How can this happen? This feels like torture. We are being punished for doing our job.”
The affected officers believe the transfers are an attempt to silence them and prevent further investigations into the events at Duka Moja.
They also argue that this decision undermines the efforts of the police force, as officers are left demoralized and feeling abandoned by a system they serve faithfully.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has come under pressure to address the growing outcry.
The officers, through anonymous messages to various platforms, are pleading for his intervention.
They argue that the transfers were carried out without his knowledge and believe he would not condone such actions given his reputation for advocating for police welfare.
However, the lack of a clear response from his office so far has left the officers feeling neglected and betrayed.
Critics have pointed out the apparent lack of fairness in the handling of the situation, emphasizing that transferring injured officers to dangerous areas amounts to further victimization.
They argue that instead of offering support and medical care, the government has chosen to subject the officers to conditions that worsen their plight.
This move has also raised questions about the transparency and ethics of police management in the region.
Nyakundi’s revelations have further highlighted the dire conditions facing the affected officers, with some alleging that these transfers were orchestrated to shield the criminals who attacked the police during the clash.
The blogger called for swift action from CS Murkomen to ensure justice for the officers and to restore public trust in the police force’s leadership.
The cries of these officers for fairness and justice remain a glaring reminder of the challenges facing the law enforcement sector in Kenya.
