Dozens of bar and restaurant owners in Kitengela have accused police officers of extortion and harassment, claiming the alleged misconduct is pushing them to the brink of shutting down their businesses.
Over the past two months, various social media platforms have been flooded with allegations against a rogue police officer and his accomplices based at Kitengela Police Station.
The alleged bribes, dubbed “protection fees,” reportedly range from Ksh5,000 for small pubs to Ksh10,000 for larger establishments monthly.
On Monday, several business owners who claimed to be victims of the extortion syndicate recounted their experiences.
At a licensed bar and restaurant in Kitengela’s Kyang’ombe area, Ms. Jacinta sat outside her business in distress. She alleged that over the weekend, police officers raided her premises and confiscated alcoholic beverages worth hundreds of thousands of shillings after she failed to pay the Ksh5,000 protection fee.
“I was supposed to pay the bribe on Friday but couldn’t due to financial constraints,” she said. “On Saturday, officers stormed my business, seized my stock, and accused me of operating beyond stipulated hours.”
She further alleged that a petty crimes officer at Kitengela Police Station demanded Sh15,000 for the release of her stock or face prosecution. The petty crimes office is reportedly headed by Inspector of Police Zacchaeus Anindo.
Another bar owner in EPZ Estate claimed he was forced to pay Ksh30,000 after negotiations, down from an initial demand of Ksh50,000.
“Kitengela Police Station is rotten to the core. Bars and restaurants have become cash cows for rogue officers. Those who don’t comply face the wrath of the powerful cartel,” he said, adding that he is considering closing or relocating his business.
A bar owner along Miriam Road alleged that only establishments owned by police officers are exempt from extortion.
“The officers have a list of all bars in town and their payment schedules. Only bars owned by their colleagues are spared. Once you pay the protection fee, you can operate 24 hours without interference,” she claimed.
Most recently raided bars and restaurants are fully licensed by the Kajiado County Alcoholic Drinks Board.
Kajiado County Bars and Restaurant Owners Association Chairperson Stanley Njuguna stated that the matter has been reported to the Isinya Sub-County Police Commander three times, but no action has been taken.
“The extortion affects both our members and non-members. We have cases where petty crimes officers blackmail bar owners who refuse to pay the so-called protection fee. Entire bar stocks are carted away as exhibits, with bribe demands increasing from Ksh5,000 to Ksh15,000 once at the police station,” Njuguna said.
He warned that both the bar owners who pay bribes and the police officers extorting them are setting a dangerous precedent in a sector that plays a crucial role in the economy.
However, Isinya Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Manyasi denied knowledge of the allegations and urged victims to make formal reports.
“I have not been briefed on such grave accusations. Let the victims file official complaints at the police station. I can only act once an OCS escalates the matter to me. There are mechanisms within the Police Service to deal with rogue officers,” he said.
Kajiado East Sub-County has over 1,000 bars and wine and spirits outlets, with Kitengela town having the highest concentration. In recent years, Kitengela has become Nairobi’s “new party town,” attracting revelers in large numbers.
The Nairobi Expressway, which connects the city to Mlolongo, has further boosted the town’s appeal as an entertainment hub due to improved accessibility.
