Human rights activist has accused Kisumu Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Chief Inspector Benson Matheka of overseeing an allegedly unlawful demolition of a school and a church.
Activist Audi Ogada has petitioned Kisumu County Commissioner Ramadhan Mwabudzo and the county security leadership to investigate allegations of misconduct against Matheka.
In an open letter dated October 21, 2026, Ogada accused the police commander of allegedly supervising the demolition of Joel Omino Eye Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre and The Door Christian Fellowship Church at midnight on Friday, 16 October.
Ogada claimed the operation caused distress among pupils and worshippers, describing the timing and manner of the demolitions as frightening and disruptive.
The activist also alleged that church equipment was looted during the operation despite the presence of more than 30 police officers and three police vehicles.
He called on the county security leadership to investigate the circumstances surrounding the demolitions and establish whether the police acted lawfully.
Allegations of misconduct
In the petition, Ogada accused Matheka of excessive use of authority, intimidation, threats and disregard for constitutional principles governing policing and the protection of citizens’ rights.
He further alleged that the OCS instructed junior officers not to record a report about the incident in the police Occurrence Book (OB).
The allegation, if established, would raise questions about the documentation of the operation and the handling of complaints arising from it.
Ogada also accused the police commander of failing to uphold the principles of accountability, transparency and integrity enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
The activist called for Matheka to take responsibility for the alleged destruction of property and the psychological distress he said had been caused to those affected.
However, the allegations contained in the petition have not been independently verified.
Calls for investigation
Ogada urged Mwabudzo, in his capacity as county commissioner and chair of the county security leadership, alongside the governor, to intervene and ensure the allegations are investigated.
He also claimed that Matheka had resisted two transfers, although the petition did not provide details of the alleged transfers.
The activist warned that he would consider invoking Articles 1 and 37 of the Constitution if the authorities failed to address his concerns.
Article 1 addresses the sovereignty of the people, while Article 37 protects the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities peacefully and unarmed.
Ogada said the petition was intended to seek accountability over what he described as the destruction and looting of a school and a place of worship.
The letter did not include a response from Matheka or the police service to the allegations. It also did not provide details of the court orders said to have been used to enforce the demolitions.
The circumstances surrounding the operation, including the legal basis for the demolitions and the alleged looting, remain to be established.
Ogada signed the letter as a human rights defender and described himself as “the voice of the voiceless”.
On Tuesday, Mwabudzo ordered an investigation into the demolition of a church and an early childhood development education (ECDE) centre by unknown individuals.
He said no one was authorised to demolish structures without the necessary approval, stressing that those responsible would face the full force of the law.
The demolished structures include a church and an ECDE centre near the Postal Corporation of Kenya pension scheme flats.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Kenya Medical Training College grounds in Kisumu, Mwabudzo warned criminal gangs and individuals involved in lawlessness that security agencies would pursue them.
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