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Kenya: MPs Query Transfer of 135 Officers
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The Nation (Nairobi)
26 February 2008
Posted to the web 25 February 2008
Nairobi
Two ODM MPs have questioned the transfer of 135 police officers from Nyanza Province to other parts of the country.
The officers were to report to their new stations by last Wednesday according to the Nyanza Provincial Police boss.
Yesterday, Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang' and Bondo MP Dr Oburu Oginga said the transfers were suspicious, coming after the post-election violence in the country.
They termed it a mass transfer targeting officers who happen to be from one community.
"There is something sinister about this, it has been done in a manner that has frightened the officers, their relative and friends," Kajwang' said .
Consequently, the MPs have asked Police Commissioner Hussein Ali to explain the transfers to the public so as to clear any doubts.
"We fear that the Government is preparing ground for oppression of the people of Nyanza... who attempt to exercise their democratic rights of mass action should the Annan talks collapse," they said in a statement.
Speaking at Parliament Buildings, the MPs said the police force was being ethnicised and the Police Commissioner had to intervene.
"He should come clean and explain if there is no ulterior motive," said Mr Oginga. He said the transfers were causing tensions, and warned that they could result in a revolt against the incoming police officers.
"Transferring those supposedly friendly to the local people and bringing in those supposedly hostile to them is likely to result in a revolt against the police force," he said.
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The MPs also disputed the findings of a report investigating the post-election violence, saying it reduced the number of deaths due to police brutality.
The report released by Independent Medico-Legal Unit on Sunday focused on the cause of deaths during that period.
The leaders claimed almost all the killings in Nyanza and Western provinces were perpetrated by police.
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