According to details, the illegal detention cell located in Makaburini, was holding nine people who were allegedly whipped and tortured for partaking in alcohol consumption.
Those who were illegally held, consisting of both men and women were detained in a single room of a mud walled building, and supposedly denied access to the outside.
The conditions of that room forced them to relive themselves inside that single room.
Speaking to KBC Prime Edition, victims told the media house that the ‘fake police’ even fed them and to secure their freedom, they had to part with sh300.
The police impersonators were not sympathetic to those who did not have the money to buy their freedom and resorted to alleged torment.
“Hao vijana ni hatari sana,”said one man as a woman emotionally recounted her experience “I also joined them inside and spent three nights where we were beaten mercilessly.”
Videos of the detention centres showed cold hard floors and one bucket in the cemented room, to relive themselves.
“If you feel the need to go to tthe toilet, you just use that bucket and dont pay attention to the men in that room” shared another woman, who spent time in the ‘police cell’. Adding “I mean what else are you supposed to do and you need to go”
Another woman who was unable to part with sh300, showed the media house the wound son her hands inflicted as a result of being ‘broke’.
“Wakaanza kunipiga, kunipiga wakaninyanganya simu pesa,”
Their plight came to light when a Nyumba Kumi member Kakamega Township Assistant Chief Isaac Ayumba said, “Yule nilimwendea kwanza kabisa ilikuwa ni mzee wa mtaa wangu, ambaye aliconfirm kuna chumba ambapo hao watu wanawekwa. Baada ya kudhibitisha, tumekuja ground na kuconfirm…”
Police and NGAO officials, leading the rescue operation, freed nine victims and arrested seven suspects, including the village elder behind the illegal detentions.
The suspects now face charges of unlawful confinement, assault, and issuing death threats. One was also found in possession of cannabis sativa.
Here are more accounts of what suspects underwent in the illegal crackdown on drunkedness in that area.
“Mimi walinitoa tu kwa mlango, sikujua kwenye wananipeleka. Kufika huko, nikapata kuna wenzangu wanachapwa, pia mimi nikaingizwa huko na nikakaa siku tatu nikichapwa…” narrated another a victim.
As yet another horrified individual said “Wakasimama hapo mpaka nikamaliza kuoga, wakaniambia, ‘Umemaliza kuoga? Vaa haraka, toka tuende.’ Nikauliza, ‘Makosa ni nini?’ Wakasema ‘hakuna, wewe twende, unaitwa.’ Huko niliingia saa kumi, nilipata hawa huko. Ilipofika saa sita usiku, ndio viboko ilianza…”
“Nilikuwa natoka kazini, wakaniambia, ‘Wewe mama, kuja hapa, wewe ni mtu tunataka, na tena unakunywa pombe.’ Wakapea mmoja ufunguo, akasema, ‘Kuja nikuonyeshe seli.’ Walikuwa wanachukua wanaume tu wanaangukia,” said another female victim.
by MAUREEN WARUINGE
