Insecurity and laxity by the government in establishing a police station pushed a local trader to operate an illegal police station at Cherus market in Kesses Sub County.
Mr Collins Leitich alias Chepkulei, 26, who set up the illegal police station, now says local police chiefs were in the know and sanctioned his efforts designed to beef up security to check runaway crime in the area.
Photos of the illegal police station went viral on social media as users slammed the government, arguing the patrol base said to have operated for the last six months signalled a security lapse.
Mr Leitich has defended his decision saying it was informed by rampant cases of insecurity in the area and laxity in establishing a police post despite it having passed the consultation process.
Before renting the rooms that he branded with National Police Service (NPS) colours, Mr Leitich said he engaged local police leadership and he was given a go ahead.
A police vehicle outside the business premises painted with National Police Service colours in Kesses Constituency of Uasin Gishu County on March 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
"Before renting the houses that we painted with police colours with the hope of establishing a police post, I engaged local police officers starting with OCS together with the county commander. I am surprised to hear them calling the station fake and illegal," Mr Leitch told Nation on phone.
He said he had a meeting with local OCS to discuss insecurity, agreeing with him to fund the establishment of the station.
Contrary to claims that the station has existed for months, Mr Leitch said it has only been in place for the last four days. Sentiments supported by locals’ witnesses.
"I am a businessman doing genuine business both locally and internationally and I discussed the issue of establishing the station with local police officers, and we agreed that I would sponsor the station to enhance security in our area, and even the area chief was aware," said Mr Leitich.
Mr Leitich said he had agreed with the landlord to pay rent of Sh4000 a month as the community sought land to relocate the station.
Members of the public peep into the business premises painted with National Police Service colours at Cherus Trading Centre, Kesses Constituency, Uasin Gishu County on March 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
He said he has gone to Vigilance House to raise his concerns on the handling of the issue with the IG.
"As we speak now I am in the office of IG to register my complaints over the same," added Mr Leitich.
Ironically locals have defended Mr Leitich for the initiative, celebrating it as a timely initiative amidst escalating insecurity in the area.
"The initiative to establish an unauthorised police Patrol Base at Chebooror by Mr Leitich is welcomed for the sake of security in this area," said Isaac Maiyo Cherus, market chair.
He explained that their main concern as residents is a police station to beef up security in the area.
The reception of the illegal police station at Cherus Trading Centre, Kesses Constituency of Uasin Gishu County on March 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
"Government delayed establishing a police station here. Cases of insecurity in this area are increasing, what we want is a police station, not security politics, 'said Mr Maiyo.
Another resident, Viola Samoei, cautioned against the arrest of the man claiming before the building was painted with police colours, area OCS and other government security officers visited the premises.
"The level of criminal activities in this area is at an alarming rate. The idea by our son to support the government to establish a police station was prudent and whoever is opposing it is an enemy of this area," said Ms Samoei.
Responding to the incident Uasin Gishu County police commander Benjamin Mwanthi refuted claims that the station has been in operation for six months saying it was only a short time.
"Our officers at Kesses were aware of a painting of the building but the mistake the residents made was to bypass the right procedure."
Mr Mwanthi said the residents did not follow the right procedure as per national police act on establishing a police post.
"The only person who authorises the establishment of a patrol base is the Deputy Inspector General," said Mr Mwanthi, adding the Directorate of Criminal Investigation is investigating the matter
He, however, urged residents to identify land for the construction of a police base.
