Imulama: Inside Kakamega Police Post run by a single officer

When the Imulama Police Post was established five years ago, residents of Shimanyiro, located at the border of Ikolomani and Lurambi Constituencies in Kakamega County, were pleased that the post would provide them with security in the troubled areas.

However, five years later, the hopes of locals are quickly fading due to insecurity cases. The police post is now a deserted public amenity with only one police officer operating the facility at his own wish and manning the entire Shimanyiro location.

The situation of Imulama Police Post paints a grim picture of the dire situation across the country, limited personnel, and Kenya's struggle to meet the international standards of police ratio to citizens, which is way below the recommended target.

When The Standard visited the police post on Tuesday, the police post had been closed, with no police officer around and no one to offer services.

The locals are now living in fear as insecurity escalates in the area, with only one police officer manning an established Imulama Police Post funded by Ikolomani NG-CDF during the 2020-2021 financial year.

The station is dire, and it has sparked public outcry because it often remains closed whenever the lone officer is away, leaving the entire locality vulnerable to criminal elements.

The nearest police station is Malaika Police Station, which is seven kilometres away from the deserted police post, with locals stating that it becomes difficult for the officers to respond with speed during an emergency or attack for reinforcement.

Last week, a secondary teacher by the name Julius Nyerere was killed in the neighbouring Imuliro area bordering Imulama by a criminal gang, with residents stating that the gang took a lot of time terrorising locals and were enough police officers at the police post, the gang could have been contained.

The teacher's death comes barely a month after two people were killed by unknown gangs in the bordering areas amid insecurity in the county.

In the last month, the county has experienced over 20 murders by different criminals due to insecurity.

Earlier this year, police launched a manhunt for a suspected serial killer who is alleged to be behind the gruesome murder in Kakamega, but the suspect is still at large.

Locals are now demanding full operationalisation of the police post to ensure it serves its mandated purpose of providing security and services to the locals.

“We want to enjoy the services of our government. We cannot live in a country where a police officer decides when to open the police post and serve residents or not,” said Augustine Azunzu, a resident.

“One officer cannot write an OB, respond to an emergency, and still go out to arrest suspects. When he is called for a baraza, the post is locked. If you come here when he is away, you go back the same way you came,” he said.

Azunzu's concerns are echoed by many in the area, who say that the station, despite having a functioning cell, is practically non-operational due to understaffing.

Derrick Okwom, another resident, said that the community has grown accustomed to the one officer’s presence, and when he is absent, they are left completely exposed.

“We are used to him, but when an attack happens and he’s not around, there’s nothing we can do. One officer cannot help when a gang strikes. We are forced to go into our houses by 7 pm. People don’t feel safe anymore,” he said.

Their fears are not unfounded. Just last week, a teacher in the area was reportedly butchered in a gruesome incident that has left the community shaken.

“We’re tired of this country. How can a police station have one officer? What happens when he’s sick? Or on leave? We need more officers immediately. You can't say that they aren't aware that here we have one officer. Assuming you (press) were attacked along the way, who could have responded to your distress? Where could you have gone to report now that the place is locked? Ask that question to yourself. That is now how we've been surviving,” said Josphat Adika.

He added that the station has a holding cell that has never been used because the officer cannot make arrests on his own.

For many residents, it is not just about their own safety but also about the welfare of the officer manning the post.

“We also care about his safety. He’s a human being. What if he’s attacked by a gang? He has no backup. Kindly add more police because one man cannot conduct operations, make arrests, and offer protection. How come Emulama only has one officer?” said Jackson Lusweti.

Lusweti said the community is growing frustrated over what they perceive as government neglect of their security needs.

“We just want to sleep in peace. We are tired of watching over our shoulders. Even thieves know we have no police protection. That is how bad it has become,” said a woman who declined to be named for security reasons.

Locals now want the government to recruit more police officers to bridge the gap of inadequate personnel and police to police-to-citizen ratio.

"We have not had recruitment and employment of police officers for some time now, and it is high time for the government to intervene and employ because the ratio of police against Kenyans is way below the recommended ratio," said Lusweti.

Ikolomani Sub County police commander Francis Makau confirmed that the matter had been brought to his attention, stating that the police post was assigned four police officers, promising to establish whether it is a matter of laxity or not.

“This issue is being looked into. What I know is that Imulama Police Post must be operational 24 hours a day, and officers were deployed to that area; it is just a matter of establishing what went wrong. We will take disciplinary action against officers who have abandoned duty,” said Makau.

However, he assured residents that reinforcements would be deployed immediately and urged the community to remain calm as the situation is addressed.

“I urge the people of Shimanyiro and its environs to be patient. We are sending more officers to ensure residents feel protected and the police station functions optimally,” he said.

On the issue of insecurity and the murder of a teacher in the area, Makau said police officers have already arrested two prime suspects linked to the gruesome murder of the tutor.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and his Deputy Ayub Savula have called on the government to intervene and ensure the safety of the people, while calling on the police officers in the county to heighten surveillance and bring to books the killers who murdered the teacher for justice to be served.