A Lumakanda police station commander has been arrested after allegedly persuading the parents of a 16-year-old girl to leave their home before he was later found inside, according to a police report.
Chief Inspector Wycliff Kwendo, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Lumakanda Police Station, is being held as police investigate allegations arising from an incident reported in Kambi Moto, Kipkaren River, Lugari Constituency.
Kakamega County Police Commander Tom Achiya confirmed the arrest and said investigations were underway.
“He (OCS) has been arrested and we are doing investigations into the matter to establish the truth and ensure the investigation goes on uninterrupted,” Achiya said.
The incident was reported at Lumakanda Police Station under OB No. 14/27/09/2026 at 12.07 pm. The report states that the incident occurred on Saturday night.
According to the police report, Kwendo allegedly contacted the girl’s mother, Linet Minayo, at about 11 pm and told her that a multi-agency team was planning a security operation in the area.
He allegedly advised Minayo and her husband, Sammy Wanjala alias Arafat, not to remain at their home that night.
The report states that the officer allegedly said he had parked his private vehicle along the highway and offered to take the couple to White House Bar.
According to the report, the couple went with him to the bar, where he allegedly said he would return at about 5am to pick them up.
The parents return
Minayo reportedly became suspicious and persuaded her husband to return home.
When the couple arrived, they allegedly found their house locked, with their 16-year-old daughter inside.
They reportedly asked the girl to open the door and, after entering, allegedly found Kwendo inside the house.
The police report states that the officer was wearing unbuttoned shorts and carrying his shoes when the couple confronted him over his presence.
According to the report, Kwendo allegedly sought an understanding with the couple and attempted to persuade them not to escalate the matter.
Minayo allegedly noticed a used condom and another unopened condom on a table. She reportedly picked up the two items and placed them in her pocket.
The report further alleges that Kwendo displayed his firearm and threatened to shoot if she did not surrender the condoms. She reportedly handed them over.
Kwendo is also alleged to have taken the couple’s two mobile phones after attempting to make a call using Minayo’s phone.
According to the report, he allegedly left Minayo with Sh20,000 and asked her not to disclose the incident before leaving the compound.
The girl was later reportedly found behind the house, where she was lying on old iron sheets.
She was subsequently taken to Lumakanda Sub-County Hospital for treatment, according to the police report.
Police officers later visited the scene, including the Chekalini OCS, the Lumakanda Deputy OCS and a Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations.
The officers are expected to establish what happened at the house, assess the accounts of those involved and determine whether an offence was committed.
Investigation continues
Achiya said the investigation would continue without interruption as police work to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.
The allegations have not been tested in court, and Kwendo’s arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Police had not indicated, at the time of reporting, whether formal charges had been filed against him.
The Sexual Offences Act defines a child as a person below 18 years and sets out offences involving sexual acts with children, including defilement. Kenya Law – Sexual Offences Act
The investigation will determine whether the allegations disclosed in the police report are supported by evidence and whether any criminal charges should follow.
