The Inspector General of Police has been put on notice over what residents of Kamukunji term as the “illegal corporate capture” of the California Police Station in Nairobi.
Through a demand letter dated September 17, filed by E&D Advocates on behalf of the Kamukunji Dwellers Association, the residents are protesting against the branding and purported sponsorship of the station by a private entity identified as ATIS.
The association says the development amounts to an unconstitutional privatization of a state security facility and a betrayal of public trust in the National Police Service.
“Our client and indeed the wider Kamukunji community has been gripped with outrage and deep concern over the recent branding and purported sponsorship of the California Police Station by ATIS. This reckless and unlawful corporate intrusion into a state security facility is not only an affront to the Constitution of Kenya, but also a grave betrayal of the public trust reposed in the National Police Service,” the letter reads in part.
The lobby further alleges that the station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Aden Denge Guyo has been reduced to an “agent of ATIS,” carrying out arbitrary arrests, harassment, and intimidation of citizens at the behest of private interests.
They have demanded the immediate removal of all ATIS branding from the station, disciplinary action against the OCS, and a clear directive from the Inspector General barring private entities from branding or sponsoring police stations.
“If our demands are not met within 14 days, our client will escalate the matter through constitutional litigation, public engagement, and lawful mass action in defence of the people’s sovereignty,” the advocates warned.
They further claim that the owner of ATIS is one Abdi Aidid who is alleged to be a foreigner who acquired Kenyan ID.
The OCS is allegedly being accused of only serving one person instead of the whole community.
“We feel left out as people in Kamukunji since the OCS only concentrates one one person, only Abdi which we feel is not right. Let him serve all of us”, the residents claim.
They say it’s like the businessman has pocketed the OCS which is unethical under NPS provisions.
Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and the Director of Criminal Investigations.
