A section of traders from Kisumu’s Kibuye Market took to the streets today, demanding the immediate transfer of Kondele Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Daniel Ogechi.

The protest comes days after the arrest of nine traders from the market on what the demonstrators termed flimsy, politically motivated charges.

Speaking to Kondele News, Zaccheus Odeny, the chairman of the Kibuye Traders Union, accused the OCS of bias and selective enforcement of the law.

“We are tired of intimidation. The officer is colluding with a notorious trader known as Nyaramba. Anyone who opposes Nyaramba is targeted and arrested,” Mr Odeny claimed.

The nine traders arrested last week and detained at the Kondele Police Station appeared before the Winam Law Courts earlier today. Odeny criticized the escalation of the dispute, adding, “There are simple marketplace cases that can be resolved locally through dialogue without dragging people to court.”

Another trader, Mary Amolo, warned that the continued stay of the OCS at the station would force them to launch a tax boycott against the regional administration.

“If this trend continues, we will stop paying taxes to the county government. Honestly, we cannot live at the mercy of one individual in the market,” Ms Amolo stated.

Erick Otieno, one of the traders caught up in the recent sweep, claimed his arrest was direct retaliation for switching political camps within the market leadership.

“When I supported Nyaramba as the market leader, I was never bothered. However, the moment I shifted my allegiance to another leadership faction, things went south, and I found myself arrested and detained,” Otieno alleged.

When contacted for comment, Kondele Police Station boss Daniel Ogechi strongly distanced himself from the allegations, maintaining that his office operates strictly above politics.

“My office is open to everyone. When a criminal matter or civil complaint is reported to us—as was the case with the recent arrests—we receive the statement, open a file, and hand it over to investigating officers. Depending on their findings, we make arrests and subsequently present the suspects before a court of law,” Mr Ogechi explained.