Hundreds of families are currently seeking refuge at a church in Isiolo following an ongoing police operation.
The Ngaremara residents fled in fear after trucks ferried hundreds of the dreaded GSU officers into their village to smoke out bandits and their sympathizers believed to have attacked and injured 12 officers in Igembe North, Meru County, two weeks ago.
Now stuck at Ngaremara Catholic parish, about seven kilometres away from the village, the homeless families detailed how the raid forced them to scamper for safety
“We heard about the bandit attack that the police are seeking information on, but we do not know who the bandits are,” Ann Nakienyi, a mother who has since been separated from her son for the last 6 days told the media.
Learning for Standard Eight and Grade Four pupils has also been suspended over the last week as the police combed through the entire village.
Other areas affected include Kiwanja, Attan, Kiwanja and Chumvi Yaree.
The police allegedly roughed up locals demanding information about the bandits who are said to have made away with 300 heads of cattle.
Local activist Joseph Eskuku condemned the alleged brutal nature of the operation. He stated that dozens of families cannot trace some of their relatives.
“Nearly the whole of Ngaremara ward is deserted. Families have separated,” he stated.
Isiolo Woman Rep Rehema Jaldesa called on the County Security Committee to push for the observation of human rights during such operations.
“The State has intelligence and chiefs on the ground and have names of the suspects. It’s bordering on human rights abuses to force innocent villagers to give information,” she opined.
Meanwhile, Kenya's Police Service has had a rocky week, with violent protests erupting in Busia after a 27-year-old man was allegedly shot dead by a police officer for not wearing a mask.
Teso North MP Edward Oku Kaunya condemned police brutality and called on the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to bring the perpetrator to book.
