Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri has refuted claims that the National Police Service has reached an agreement to pay the Ksh2 million rent arrears for a building in Mwea-West, Kirinyaga County, that was being used as a patrol base.
According to Muchiri, the building was donated by a local resident, now deceased, who gave it to police officers to use to enhance security in the area.
The spokesperson further clarified that the situation regarding the building was complicated, as there was no proper rental agreement between the police and the owner's family.
Muchiri's statement came after Mwea-West villagers were plunged into confusion on Monday, March 24, when they spotted a lorry arriving at the premises to ferry the officers’ belongings following their eviction.
Locals have since openly expressed their concerns over security following the officers’ eviction, with one business owner lamenting that they are now compelled to close their businesses earlier due to the absence of patrol officers.
"There is a lot of tension here since we saw a police lorry come to pick up our officers. From yesterday, we have been forced to close businesses as early as 6 p.m," the local resident said.
Another businessperson lamented that the abrupt departure of the officers had already impacted activities in the area and called on the government to intervene. "If the building has rent arrears, they should be helped to clear them so they can continue providing security," he suggested.
According to reports, the Riandira patrol base initially had ten officers stationed there, but four were transferred at an earlier date, leaving six to manage security operations.
With all officers now evicted, residents are questioning how the government plans to address the security vacuum left behind, since the nearest police station is at least four kilometres away.
Following the landlord's death, the officers were notified that they would need to start paying rent to continue their operations in the building. However, according to the deceased landlord's daughter, the arrears have accumulated to KSh2 million.
One of the main reasons police patrol bases and stations sometimes operate from rented spaces is the lack of government-owned infrastructure in certain areas, particularly those lagging behind in development.
Similarly, the need to establish police posts in high-risk areas to respond swiftly to security threats sometimes forces authorities to set up operations on private property using formal or informal agreements.
