Police in Kakamega have arrested seven suspects accused of running an illegal detention cell in Makaburini, where nine people were held, whipped, and tortured for consuming alcohol.
The victims, both men and women, were crammed into a single room of a mud-walled building, denied access to the outside, and forced to relieve themselves in buckets.
To buy their freedom, they had to pay a Ksh.300 bribe to their self-appointed “discipline masters,” and those who failed to heed to the terms were subjected to three days of unimaginable torment.
What began as a village elder’s crackdown on drunkenness spiraled into a disturbing reign of terror. The village elder is said to have enlisted a group of young men who transformed the humble structure into an illegal detention cell where suspects were held captive, punished, and left with more questions than answers.
“Mimi walinitoa tu kwa mlango, sikujua kwenye wananipeleka. Kufika huko, nikapata kuna wenzangu wanachapwa, pia mimi nikaingizwa huko na nikakaa siku tatu nikichapwa…” explained a victim.
Another added, “Wakasimama hapo mpaka nikamaliza kuoga, wakaniambia, ‘Umemaliza kuoga? Vaa haraka, toka tuende.’ Nikauliza, ‘Makosa ni nini?’ Wakasema ‘hakuna, wewe twende, unaitwa.’ Huko niliingia saa kumi, nilipata hawa huko. Ilipofika saa sita usiku, ndio viboko ilianza…”
What’s even more shocking is the sheer inhumanity of their captivity. Men and women were crammed into a single, filthy room—no separation, no dignity. Forced to share a single bucket as their toilet, they survived on a single meal a day.
“Tulikuwa tunaenda haja kwa ndoo ndani ya hio room, yani kama imekukaza, hutaki kujua kama kuna mwanamke au mwanaume ako hapo. Sasa utafanya aje? Inabidi tu… Jioni alikuwa analeta ugali na sukuma…” lamented a female victim.
For three agonizing days, the makeshift cell became a chamber of misery, where survival was the only goal. An escape came at the cost of Ksh.300.
Brazen and unafraid, the gang ran their illegal operation in plain sight, openly extorting victims and silencing anyone who dared to question them with chilling threats.
“Nilikuwa natoka kazini, wakaniambia, ‘Wewe mama, kuja hapa, wewe ni mtu tunataka, na tena unakunywa pombe.’ Wakapea mmoja ufunguo, akasema, ‘Kuja nikuonyeshe seli.’ Walikuwa wanachukua wanaume tu wanaangukia,” said another female victim.
“Kama jirani, hii ni siku ya tatu nikiona hii kitendo. Nikauliza, ‘Kwa nini mnafungia vijana?’ Wakaniambia, ‘Pia wewe utalala hapa.’ Nikauliza mwingine, akaniambia, ‘Tunataka kusimamisha watu wa pombe…” stated an area resident.
Kakamega Township Assistant Chief Isaac Ayumba said, “Yule nilimwendea kwanza kabisa ilikuwa ni mzee wa mtaa wangu, ambaye aliconfirm kuna chumba ambapo hao watu wanawekwa. Baada ya kudhibitisha, tumekuja ground na kuconfirm…”
Police and NGAO officials, leading the rescue operation, freed nine victims and arrested seven suspects, including the village elder behind the illegal detentions.
The suspects now face charges of unlawful confinement, assault, and issuing death threats. One was also found in possession of cannabis sativa.
