Drama as Joho storms Nyali police station
Governor Hassan Joho on Monday stormed Nyali police station to demand the release of seven county askaris arrested by police early morning.
A standoff ensued at the station after Mr Joho sought an explanation from Kisauni police boss Christopher Rotich, who was at the station, for the arrests “as the askaris were conducting their enforcement mandate”.
Mr Joho said the askaris were arrested and locked at the station after they had gone to demolish a wall blocking an access road to the beach.
“Are you trying to protect land grabbers? Why have you arrested my askaris? We cannot allow the police to assist people to grab lands? Just release my askaris. Period,” said Mr Joho.
WITHOUT APPROVAL
Mr Joho said the askaris were following orders from the county to pull down the wall which was constructed without the approval from the county.
“I have established that the police commanders are simply trying to protect someone who is trying to grab a public land and that is why they saw the need of arresting our officers. Since when are the police allowed to handle lands dispute?” posed Mr Joho outside the station.
Mr Joho further accused the police of blocking the county law enforcers from performing their mandate.
“Our interest is for the people. That is an access road to the public beach and the place is meant for public use. It does not matter who owns it,” said the county boss.
He spoke after meeting Mr Rotich and county police chief Patterson Maelo over the matter.
ILLEGALLY DEMOLISHED
Speaking to Nation, Mr Maelo said police had responded to reports by the owner of Nyali Beach Holiday Resorts that the wall was being illegally demolished.
“The county askaris were taken to the police station to record statements after the owner complained about the demolition. Our authorised mandate is to respond to complaints and investigate,” said Mr Maelo.
He added: “We are not protecting anybody. We have talked to the governor and told him that the matter will be sorted in accordance to the law.”
The county askaris were released around noon.