Residents of Noonkopir village in Kitengela, Kajiado County, are expressing outrage over escalating insecurity, despite the presence of a recently commissioned police post. Agitated locals report increasing incidents of theft, mugging, robbery, and rape in the middle-class estate.
The police post, constructed in 2015 by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) in collaboration with the local community, had remained non-functional for eight years. Recently, an additional Ksh5 million was allocated by the NG-CDF for its renovation and expansion. The facility was commissioned three weeks ago by area MP Kakuta Maimai.
Angry residents are questioning the rationale behind the allocation of more funds for renovating the non-functional police post. They criticized the leadership for commissioning the facility without deploying any police officers and then closing it on the same day.
“The contractor did shoddy work, which only entailed painting the existing block and staff quarters,” one resident remarked. A spot check revealed a deserted structure with open, dangerous septic tanks, no fence, no police presence, staff quarters without a pit latrine, poor ventilation, and no electricity connection. Additionally, vandalism has occurred, with sections of gutters missing.
Locals are now calling the project a “cash cow” for rogue public servants misusing taxpayers’ money. They demand transparency and accountability for the funds used and are warning of protests against the project they term a “white elephant.”
Isinya Sub County Police Commander Patrick Manyasi confirmed via phone that the police post, although commissioned, is not habitable for police officers.
Kajiado East MP Kakuta Maimai admitted observing the low standard of work during the commissioning and ordered the contractor to redo it. However, he was evasive when questioned about why he went ahead with the commissioning despite noticing the anomalies and refused to disclose whether the contractor had been paid.
The community continues to call for immediate action to address the insecurity and proper utilization of public funds to ensure the safety and well-being of Noonkopir village.
