Following the unceremonious torching of the Mawego Police Station, the National Police Service (NPS) has transferred of all police officers from the post to the Kendu Bay Police Station.
On Thursday, July 3, the Mawego Police station was reduced to ashes after angry youth carrying the remains of slain teacher and social media influencer Albert Ojwang stormed it, demanding justice, and torched it.
The police service is now investigating the events that led to the arson, with reports alleging a possible permanent closure of the station.
Speaking in anonymity to Citizen TV, a senior Nairobi Police Officer revealed that consultations are ongoing with the locals to determine whether they want the post there or not. When the consultations are done, NPS will issue an official statement on the same.
The officer revealed that it is up to the community to decide if they still want the police presence.
If the decision to rebuild the station is maintained, the officer revealed that it might be at the expense of the residents.
''The review is underway to determine whether the community still requires police presence. If residents deem it necessary, a rebuild may be considered, though the cost will likely fall on the community itself,'' the police told the media house.
The arson attack left the facility in ruins, with charred remnants of flattened police unit huts, a torched vehicle, and several partially destroyed residential houses standing as evidence of the Thursday blaze.
While the police continue to investigate the arson attack, political leaders from Homa Bay, including the Governor Gladys Wanga, strongly defended the community.
Speaking during the burial of Ojwang, Wanga dismissed reports linking the Mawego youths to the arson attack.
On his part, Homa Bay MP George Kaluma alleged that the station was torched by goons transported from Nairobi.
“The goons who have burnt Mawego Police Station were ferried from Nairobi. Our Students from Mawego and our students from across our land didn’t burn the Station. They have lived with the Station all these years, and even after our son Albert Ojwang was killed,'' Kaluma said.
