Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’I has moved to end the conflict between the police and Kisii residents in Rioma.
Matiang’i led the meeting which was attended by local leaders, residents, and police in the region, and ultimately ended in an agreement to end the feud.
In a raft of measures that informed the decision by both locals and police to call for a truce, Matiang’i assured them that the internal challenges facing the station will be handled administratively.
Matiang’I who was accompanied by the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai called on the locals to work closely with the police to restore the lost pact.
“During the meeting, it was agreed that the current internal challenges noted will be addressed administratively and locals were urged to work closely with the police,” National Police Service stated on the social media pages.
The residents were also urged to embrace the concept of Community Policing for peaceful coexistence and socio-economic development in the area.
Kisii Governor James Ongwae also attended the meeting assuring residents that action will be taken to restore good relations with the police.
The conflict began when a boda boda operator was allegedly killed at Rioma Police cell which is in Kitutu Chache North Sub-county.
The initial police report indicated that the boda boda operator fell ill while in the cells. He was rushed to hospital but he died.
Angry residents took on the streets to protest the killing demanding justice.
One student was shot dead during the protests while two others were left nursing serious bullet injuries.
The residents later stormed the police station and burnt it down.
