Residents of Aterait area in Teso South, Busia County, are living in anguish over alleged s3xual harassment by a section of police officers posted at the Adungosi police station.
Speaking to a local TV station, the residents decried that a section of officers posted at the station had become a nightmare to them as they were sexually assaulting women during the night.
According to the aggrieved locals, the most recent incident occurred on May 31, 2023, when an officer raped a 21-year-old girl.
It is reported that the officer stormed the girl’s home accompanied by another officer to conduct a search for illicit brews. After they realised there was no illegal alcohol in the compound they allegedly opted to return to the station.
However, as they were leaving, one of the officers took the young girl with him claiming that he was taking her to the police station.
On their way to the station, the officer allegedly raped the lady and ordered her to go back home.
“They told me to go to the road where the police car was parked, when I got there the car was not around. One of them told me to head to the junction where will find the land cruiser. As we were walking towards the junction, he ordered me to stop,” the victim recounted.
“He asked me to remove my clothes to which I was adamant and told him I can’t remove my clothes. Annoyed by my response, he slapped me and ordered me to lie on the ground. He then raped me. After he was done, he ordered me to put back my clothes and accompany him to the junction,” she added.
Local leaders in the area have criticized the inhumane act and subsequently called on Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki to take action against the officers if found guilty.
The area police commander has assured residents that investigations were ongoing and those found culpable will be brought to book.
“The case is now with IPOA and we are waiting for the outcome. The lady was taken to the hospital for examination which is a very key step in the investigation. We also have the officers who are supposed to be subjected to a medical examination for the purpose of getting samples. If it happens that it is the officers who committed the act they will have to carry their own cross,” he stated.
