Siaya Governor James Orengo has accused the government of using security agencies to target opposition supporters, following a visit to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi.
Speaking after the visit, Orengo said he was accompanied by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to seek clarification over reported arrests and alleged targeting of supporters linked to the Linda Mwananchi in Kisumu.
“We refuse to let the police be used as a political hit squad to silence the Linda Mwananchi Movement,” Orengo said during a press briefing outside the DCI offices.
The governor criticised what he termed as interference by the Executive in police operations, warning that such actions undermine constitutional order and the rule of law.
“When the Executive treats the police like a private militia, the Constitution is shredded in real time and the rule of law collapses,” he said.
Orengo called on Inspector General Douglas Kanja to assert his independence and take full control of police operations, stressing that security agencies must remain insulated from political influence.
“Inspector General Douglas Kanja must reclaim his mandate immediately because while the government handles policy, operations belong strictly to the police,” he said.
He further questioned the deployment of DCI officers from Nairobi to Kisumu, terming the move secretive and politically motivated.
“These secretive deployments of DCI from Nairobi to Kisumu prove this isn’t about law enforcement — it’s about sabotage,” Orengo added.
The remarks come amid rising political tensions surrounding the activities of the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has been positioning itself as a platform advocating for government accountability and institutional reforms.
Orengo insisted that the opposition was not seeking preferential treatment but demanding adherence to the law and protection of citizens’ rights.
“We are not asking for favors; we are demanding institutional integrity. The police must protect Kenyan citizens, not the narrow interests of the powers that be,” he said.
Police had not immediately responded to the allegations by the time of publication, but the claims are likely to intensify scrutiny over the conduct and independence of law enforcement agencies in politically sensitive operations.
