16/05/2026
Residents of Lafey in Mandera County have protested against the area Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD), William Lagat, accusing him of highhandedness and crippling police services.
Locals claim the officer routinely denies them services that require station vehicles, falsely claiming the vehicles have no fuel, while demanding bribes or facilitation fees before any action is taken.
According to the residents, all police vehicles remain grounded month after month despite the National Police Service issuing fuel cards that allow refueling at any time.
They question how the station can be perpetually out of fuel while Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen assured them police cars will never lack fuel.
Operations have stalled, and the officer’s poor relations with area chiefs and National Police Reservists (NPRs) have further undermined security in the highly sensitive border region.
Complaints to the area MP Hon Mohamed Abdikheir have reportedly fallen on deaf ears, with locals alleging the OCPD enjoys protection from unknown powerful sources within police headquarters and top government echelons.
Residents now appeal to NPS headquarters for the officer’s immediate transfer and challenge DIG Eliud Lagat to intervene.
The community demands a new officer be deployed to restore security and trust.
