Illegal police base: Collins Leitich records statement
Collins Leitich in a previous function in Eldoret.
Investigations into an illegal police patrol base in Kesses, Uasin Gishu, are underway after detectives in Nairobi questioned and recorded a statement from Collins Leitich, the man behind the initiative.
Prior to this, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) investigators had summoned Mr Leitich, alias Chepkulei, to appear at Kesses police station in Uasin Gishu County for questioning.
However, this did not happen as planned with Mr Letich somehow recording his statement some 311 kilometres away at Kilimani Police Station in Nairobi on Monday.
Kilimani sub-County Commander Patricia Yegon confirmed to the Nation that Mr Leitich recorded his statement at the station on Monday. The police boss however declined to give details about what was recorded.
“It is true that he came and recorded his statement with us yesterday (Monday) as he was directed and we will use that information to guide us in handling the matter as expected of us,” Yegon said.
Mr Leitich hit the headlines after establishing an unauthorised police patrol base which he branded in full police colours, with a patrol car to boot, at Cherus market in Kesses Sub County. In his defence, Mr Leitich said that he did it for his community citing the high insecurity in the area.
He also said that he established the police patrol base with the full knowledge and backing of top police chiefs at the county and national levels.
According to a police report, Mr Leitich established the Cheboror Patrol Base and painted it with National Police Service (NPS) colors, contrary to the laws on the establishment of a police patrol base in Kenya.
A summon letter seen by the Nation from the DCI, Kesses police station dated March 14, 2025, directed Mr Leitich to appear at the station for statement recording. The letter, signed by DCI officer Robert Samoei, cautioned Mr Leitich against failing to honor the summons.
“I Robert Samoei, a police officer attached to DCI Kesses police station, have reasons to believe you have information which may assist me with my investigation. In exercise of powers conferred to me under section 52 (1) of The National Police Act of 2011 require you to appear before me at DCI Kesses police station on March 17 at 10:00hrs without fail,” stated the letter.
The detective directed Mr Leitich to record a statement about an offense of assumption of powers of a police officer contrary to Section 101(a) of the National Police Act No 11 (a) of 2011.
Speaking to the Nation on Tuesday, Mr Leitich confirmed that he had recorded a statement at Kilimani police station but like the station’s boss, did not reveal the nature of the interrogation.
“I was asked to tell the police the information I have about the police patrol base which I did,” he said.
On his part, Uasin Gishu County Criminal Investigations Officer Daniel Muleli, said the recording of the statement in Nairobi by Mr Leitich was in order as that is what the law says.
Standing his ground
Popularly known as ‘Generali,’ Mr Leitich has remained adamant that there was no illegality in his move, insisting that he had the blessings of top police bosses to set up the police patrol post at Cherus trading center.
He has maintained that his decision was influenced by surging criminal activities in the area and that he was only a well-wisher trying to find a solution for his community.
“I sought the audience of senior police officers in Uasin Gishu County who told me if we get a permanent building for officers, the police service will give us officers," he said.
"Sheep are stolen in Cherus daily. Thieves break into shops and steal stock and there are several cases of muggings reported, but police do not respond on time because they always complain that they have no vehicle,” he said, defending his decision.
So dedicated was he to his mission that he was in the process of handing over his Toyota Probox to police officers for service at the patrol station when mainstream and social media went awash with news of his action.
Cherus market along Nabkoi - Lessos - Kapsabet road has no police post, with the nearest police station being Kamuyu located about 6kms away, with a bad road network, while Kondoo police station is about 15 km away.
Most Cherus locals have welcomed and defended Mr Leitich’s action, but some questioned the motive of doing it unprocedurally.
"Establishing a police post here is not a bad idea. But as locals we did not participate in a public participation exercise to give our views on the same,” said Wilson Tarus, a local community leader who questioned the motive of establishing a police patrol post in a rented house.
However, Isaac Maiyo, the Cherus market chair, welcomed the move, accusing local leaders of dilly-dallying in establishing a police post in the area.
"We have made many requests for a police station to be established here but they fall on deaf ears. The President influenced the allocation of Sh50 million for a modern market and asked us to do 24-hour business round the clock, yet security is not guaranteed,” said Mr Maiyo.
Uasin Gishu Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi said Mr Leitich did not follow the right procedures of establishing a police patrol base, terming his actions unprocedural.
Additional reporting by Steve Otieno
tominde@ke.nationmedia.com