The Parliamentary Committee on Administration and Internal Security has pledged urgent intervention after an inspection visit to Nandi County revealed dire conditions facing police officers, including a lack of basic infrastructure, deplorable housing, and inadequate resources.
The Wednesday, September 17, visit left Members of Parliament visibly shaken as they toured several police stations in the county, where officers work and live in alarming conditions.
In Chesumei sub-county, the Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) operates without an office, while the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is confined to a makeshift iron-sheet structure no larger than six feet by six.
“We are facing a huge problem in Chesumei. The County Commander does not even have an office to operate in,” one officer told the committee.
Dire Conditions in Nandi Police Stations
Nandi County Police Commander Thomas Ototo briefed lawmakers on the widespread security and operational challenges.
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He cited cases of assault, illicit brewing, smuggling, land invasion, illegal gold mining, and suicides linked to depression and family disputes.
Ototo also noted that overlapping sub-county boundaries have paralyzed infrastructure development in some areas.
“You can find a police station located at the border of two sub-counties, and in the end, no one wants to take responsibility,” he said.
In Tinderet, MPs were stunned to learn that officers not only operate from mud houses but also live in them.
Committee members called the situation “unheard of” and demanded immediate action.
“It is unacceptable that DCI officers are operating from structures that cannot even qualify as temporary shelters,” said the Committee Chairperson. “We are compiling a comprehensive list of all police stations in Nandi County in need of urgent intervention.”
Pledged Urgent Intervention
Lawmakers vowed to engage local representatives and the Ministry of Interior to prioritize funding for construction and renovation of police facilities.
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They also raised concerns over lack of vehicles, uniforms, insufficient fuel allocation, poor remuneration, and challenges with insurance, leave allowance, and frequent staff transfers.
Nandi County currently hosts six police headquarters, 22 police stations, three of which lack an Officer Commanding Station (OCS) along with 22 police posts and 16 patrol bases.
The committee emphasized that for police to effectively maintain law and order, they must be supported with adequate infrastructure and dignified working conditions.
“Security begins with the security officers,” the chair added. “We cannot expect effective service delivery when our officers are working under such unacceptable conditions.”
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