By I.P. Team.
The Center for Human Rights Watch director Phillip Wanyonyi Wekesa, has called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to reinstate Peter Maosa, a police officer unlawfully dismissed from police service after fighting to reclaim his land, which was allegedly grabbed by a businessman in Malakisi town.
Maosa has been unable to serve the police and neither get his salary for the past seven years due to this situation.
Wekesa defended Maosa saying that the unlawfully fired police officer has never faced any misconduct allegations and should not be punished for lawfully seeking to secure his land.
Maosa was accused of deserting duty for 10 days without leave from August 28, 2016 to September 7, 2016 and that he ignored summons to explain his whereabouts which according to him was a false claim.
The charge sheet read: “That on the 5th day of December 2016, Peter Maosa, at 8.00am at Malakisi Police Station in Bungoma County, being an officer of the National Police Service, deserted duty without the authority of the Inspector General.”
His case was heard at Sirisia Law Courts on June 26, 2018 and Senior Resident Magistrate Lilian Kiniale ruled that the matter be solved out of court upon request of the parties involved. The matter was therefore withdrawn in accordance with section 87A of the Criminal Procedure Code. The officer was then required to report back to Malakisi Police Station and be reinstated immediately, but that never happened.
He reported to the station on July 3, 2018 but was told to wait for communication from the area OCPD Antony Njeru the following day.
“I met the OCPD and was told to wait for communication from him and I have been waiting for communication for 7 years. I forwarded the complaint to the National Police Service, but I never received any response,” said Maosa.
” What I want is my job back and to be paid my salary that was stopped in full. My three children who had joined university have dropped out of college .I was blacklisted by banks and referred to the Credit Reference Bureau after defaulting on loan repayments when my salary was stopped. I have developed ulcers and high blood pressure due to the problems I am facing because I am the sole bread winner for my family,” said Maosa.
The then Bungoma West Police OCPD Antony Njeru said that he was aware of the matter but declined to comment further .
He urged the IG to hold senior officers accountable for their collusion with the alleged land grabber, who reportedly manipulated local officials to obtain false land documents at the Bungoma county land registry.
In addition, Wekesa called on Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka to investigate the county land officials involved in the racket.
He noted that the toxic environment between junior and senior officers within the police department should be a cause to worry since rising tensions, including increased incidents of suicide and violence among officers is attributed to the poor working relationship created by senior police officers.
Maosa’s ordeal began when he was transferred to Mbeere police station in Mandi County allegedly to prevent him from pursuing his land claim in court.
He refused to honour the ‘fixed’ transfer, yet has remained without a salary or reinstatement since 2017, despite multiple appeals to previous police IGs.
“I had to take legal action to seek justice for my family, who have suffered for 7 years due to this injustice,” Maosa stated, expressing hope for a favorable court ruling next month.
Ends.
