A tragedy has seen a police station go up in flames with all the exhibits and evidence that were stored in the offices. Officers posted at Thome police post in Kasarani Nairobi could not fathom the shock when they found their station razed down to the ground.
The course of the evil is believed to revolve around a land grabbing saga. Particular notorious land grabbers are so far their key suspect in the torching of the post.
“The criminals burnt this place at around 7.30 pm. We have been having trouble with land grabbers in this area who will stop at nothing to get this piece of public land for the past 20 years,” Paul Richu, the local area chairman told reporters.
Police in the post were overwhelmed in their attempts to control the inferno that engulfed every corner of their offices that they had to call for more help from the area residents.
“The response from the locals was terrific and we jointly did our best to put off the uncontrollable fire,” the chairman added.
The station was built over a three and a half acre plot that has been a subject of contestation over a long period of time.
Wilson Njenga, Nairobi County Commissioner confirmed the incident noting, “Lack of formal land ownership documents by many police stations in Nairobi has provided the leeway for con men to attempt stealing our property.”
Officers who lost their personal assets and property were promised compensation by the county police boss who vowed to share the ordeal with the Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration Police in the country. Investigations into the case have begun.
The government was urged to hasten the processing of title deeds to enable police bosses prove the ownership of land where police stations and posts are built.