Security officers in Mumias, Kakamega County are on the spot following a raid in search of rifles and ammunition stolen at a police station.
According to locals, a team of police officers drawn from the Regular, Administration and GSU units stormed their houses, physically attacked them and destroyed property as they combed through in search of the stolen weapons.
County Assembly Member Suleiman Odanga divulged that women were also sexually harassed during the Wednesday and Thursday ambush which saw business operations come to a standstill.
“Reports indicate that nine women were beaten and raped. The officers forced themselves into their homes and stole phones, money and food.” Mr Odanga was quoted by the Nation.
A journalist working with the Star Newspaper was forced to seek coverage in a sewer while a pastor abandoned a burial ceremony in fear.
One of the victims highlighted that the rogue officers even threatened them stating: "Pray President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is visiting this region does not order another operation otherwise, we would face more fire."
A woman identified as Veronicah Omayo accused the officers of burning his son, who is also a motorcycle rider, inside the house. Stanley Namayi is currently admitted at St Mary's Hospital in Mumias West where he is nursing severe burns.
In a report by the Standard, a medic at the hospital divulged that they attended to five people with various forms of injuries
"Most of them had soft tissue injuries even though there are those with severe injuries," the medic stated.
However, Kakamega County Police Commander Stanley Tito Kilonzi denied the claims noting: "I have received no complaints of alleged harassment by police officers going about the search for the guns but if there is anybody whose rights have been violated, let them report the matter to the nearest police station for investigations."
