By Reporter
Kisumu City Board has apologized to developers over alleged harassment and extortion by officers from the City Planning and Inspectorate Department.
In a press statement signed by City Manager Mr. Abala Wanga, he apologized to the residents and stakeholders on behalf of Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o over the alleged vice.
Wanga wrote, “On behalf of the County Governor of Kisumu, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, and the entire County Government, I wish to sincerely apologize for the recent incidents involving staff of the City of Kisumu and other departments in the county, particularly from the Development Control and Compliance sections of the City Planning and Enforcement Directorate.
The City of Kisumu operates under strict legal and regulatory frameworks, and any official enforcement or inspection activities are conducted in full compliance with the existing laws and regulations.
It has come to our attention that certain employees under the Inspectorate Section have been harassing developers, investors, and business owners at construction sites, extorting money, confiscating tools of work, and even purporting to make arrests of workers at various construction sites.
We are also informed that the said staff have been operating without proper identification, including during weekends and public holidays, which is irregular.”
Abala said the City Board had taken drastic measures to curb the harassment by instituting various measures which include that all staff of the Inspectorate under the City of Kisumu shall have proper identification and proper uniform while undertaking such operations.
That all legitimate staff of the City of Kisumu from the Development Control and Compliance Section and the Inspectorate will operate within official working hours.
That any demands for payments, confiscation of items or working tools, or threats during enforcement by unverified persons should be reported immediately to the City Manager’s office or law enforcement agencies.
