BY GEOFREY KASERA: The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) of Kondele Police Station, Daniel Ogechi, has strongly defended his track record and dismissed allegations made against him by Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, terming them “purely political.”

Speaking to the press from his office, Ogechi defended his tenure, stating that security under his leadership has paved the way for a thriving, round-the-clock economy in Kondele, a milestone he noted was previously unheard of in the area.

The OCS’s remarks come in the wake of a scathing social media post by the Embakasi East legislator, who accused the police boss of collaborating with armed youth during Sunday’s violent disruption at ACK St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Kisumu.

“I want to state that the remarks by Babu Owino are purely political,” Ogechi said.

“In my role as the head of Kondele Police Station, I have ensured equal and impartial services to all. We have already arrested and arraigned those suspected to be culpable for the weekend violence.”

Ogechi challenged the second-term lawmaker, who is an Advocate of the High Court, to respect the due process of the law rather than executing a trial by social media.

“As an advocate, he should do what the law requires,” Ogechi added.

“When we as officers suspect that individuals are culpable of an offense, we must take our time to investigate thoroughly and ensure they are formally charged before a court of law.”

The exchange stems from the chaotic scenes witnessed over the weekend in Milimani, Kisumu, where a violent clash between rival youth factions disrupted a church service attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Following the incident, Babu Owino took to his social media platforms to launch a direct attack on the local police boss.

“This is Daniel Ogechi, OCS Kondele Police Station Kisumu, who was working with the goons to attack innocent Kenyans in church today. This is his number ***. Ogechi, hii ujeuri yako itaisha tu (your arrogance will come to an end). You are not the first person to be a police officer in Kenya, neither will you be the last,” the lawmaker posted.

Suspects in court

Dismissing the MP’s claim that police coddled the perpetrators, Ogechi reiterated that his officers acted swiftly to restore order under high-pressure circumstances.

He emphasized that the police force remains committed to bringing all instigators of violence to book, pointing out that 14 suspects linked to the weekend skirmishes in both Kisumu and Nyahururu have already been arrested and formally charged.