Police Constable fears abduction rather than lawful arrest following controversial TV appearance
Police Constable Hiram Kimathi, who has become a vocal critic of police conduct and advocate for reforms, claims his life is now in danger following his appearance on a local television on Friday evening.
The outspoken officer, who has gained national attention for his public stance on police brutality and human rights violations, told the media that he has intelligence suggesting authorities are planning to “pounce on him” today.
“I’m not comfortable disclosing more but I have my own intel, they are planning to pounce on me today, my fear is not being arrested lawfully but being abducted to unknown places,” Kimathi said in a phone interview, his voice tense with concern.
Kimathi’s fears come on the heels of his controversial transfer from Kyumbi Police Station near Machakos Junction to Todonyang Police Station on the Kenya-Ethiopia border – a move he describes as punitive action for speaking out against the system.
The transfer order, which Kimathi posted on social media, simply stated: “You will proceed from Kyumbi Police Station to Todonyang Police Station and upon arrival, report to the officer commanding station for further instructions.”
But Kimathi sees the transfer as more than routine police deployment.
“This is not a transfer. It is a warning shot to every officer with a conscience. Speak out against the state, and you’ll be buried in isolation,” he wrote on his social media platforms.
During the conversation, Kimathi expressed concerns about electronic surveillance, urging this reporter to switch to more secure communication platforms.
“I know they are listening to my calls, we better switch to a different platform, I know for sure they are,” he stated.
The constable’s paranoia may not be unfounded, given his recent high-profile criticism of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s controversial directive to security forces to shoot violent protesters – a stance that went viral on TikTok.
Despite the apparent pressure, Kimathi remains defiant.
“Sack me if you want. I will not be intimidated for speaking the truth. I will not shoot Kenyans.” he declared during his TV interview.
The officer questioned the selective nature of his transfer, asking: “It was not genuine. It was out of malice. Why me, in the whole nation? Why are you transferring Hiram Kimathi alone?”
Kimathi has positioned himself as a reformist voice within the police service, advocating for community policing and improved relations between law enforcement and citizens.
His public statements have resonated with many Kenyans who have long complained about police brutality and extrajudicial killings.
“I had hoped to serve as a voice within the police to advance community policing and repair relations with citizens,” he explained during his television appearance.
The constable maintains he is prepared for whatever consequences may come from his activism.
“Nobody was born employed. If I lose this job, I will go back to society and start again,” he said, showing remarkable resolve in the face of potential career suicide.
While acknowledging that Todonyang itself is not necessarily a punishment posting, Kimathi argues that in his specific case, the transfer is clearly retaliatory.
“The people there are not being punished. But for me, it’s a punishment because I spoke out.”
Kenya Insights allows guest blogging, if you want to be published on Kenya’s most authoritative and accurate blog, have an expose, news TIPS, story angles, human interest stories, drop us an email on [email protected] or via Telegram