A police commander in Kakamega County, Kenya, has been arrested and detained at Kakamega police station following allegations of defiling a 16-year-old girl. The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) for Lumakanda Police Station, Wycliff Kwendo, is under investigation after a report was filed at the station. According to official police records, Kwendo allegedly contacted a resident of the Kambi Moto area in Kipkaren River, claiming a multi-agency security raid was imminent and advising her family to evacuate their home immediately.
The woman and her husband met Kwendo along the highway, where he drove them in his private vehicle to a local bar under the guise of keeping them safe until early morning. However, the woman convinced her husband to return home, only to find their front door locked from the inside. When their teenage daughter finally opened the door, the parents discovered Kwendo hiding inside the house with his shorts unbuttoned and his shoes in his hands.
A confrontation quickly ensued as Kwendo allegedly begged the parents not to escalate the matter and sought an immediate "understanding." Tension escalated when the mother spotted a used condom alongside an unopened one on a table. Seeking to secure evidence, she pocketed the items. In response, Kwendo allegedly brandished his firearm and threatened to shoot her unless she surrendered the condoms.
Outnumbered and fearing for their lives, the mother complied, after which Kwendo allegedly confiscated the couple's mobile phones and left Ksh.20,000 in cash in a desperate bid to buy their silence before fleeing the scene. The teenage victim was later discovered abandoned behind the house, lying on a pile of old iron sheets. The harrowing ordeal was subsequently reported to the police, triggering an immediate response from senior law enforcement officials in Lugari.
Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers visited the crime scene to preserve what evidence remained. The minor was rushed to the Lumakanda Sub-County Hospital, where she is currently receiving medical treatment and undergoing forensic evaluation. According to the Western Region DCI Boss Douglas Chikanda, Kwendo has been arrested and is detained at Kakamega police station.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern about police conduct in the region. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and swift action against those found guilty. The DCI has assured the public that the case will be handled with sensitivity and professionalism.
The case has also raised questions about the vetting and oversight of police officers in Kenya. The incident is a reminder of the need for robust mechanisms to prevent and respond to police misconduct, particularly in cases involving vulnerable populations such as minors.
Key points
- The OCS has been arrested and detained at Kakamega police station.
- The minor is receiving medical treatment and undergoing forensic evaluation at Lumakanda Sub-County Hospital.
- The DCI has launched an investigation into the incident and promised swift action against those found guilty.
