Police officers in Nakuru County are facing criticism following the arrest of a 33-year-old woman and the alleged harassment of her mother over a social media post.
May Jerono, who was arrested in Nakuru and transported to Kitale before later being released, described the experience she and her mother endured as traumatic and deeply distressing.
Her mother, Census Ruto, a primary school teacher in Nakuru, recounted being forcibly removed from her classroom at Athinai Primary School by officers who allegedly stormed the institution during lessons.
She says she was ordered to sit on the floor in front of her colleagues and pupils.
The incident is said to have stemmed from a Facebook post allegedly shared by her daughter.
“Walikuja ndani ya shule na kuni harass vibaya mbele ya wanafunzi wangu na walimu… walininyanganya ata simu nilikuwa nayo kwa nguvu… I was just shocked and asked why all these wanasema nitajulia mbele,” says Ruto.
According to Ms Ruto, the ordeal continued after she was escorted to Kaptembwo Police Station, where she claims she was not informed of the charges against her.
“Kufika police station, kidogo msichana wangu akaingia, wakaanza kukataa ata tusiongee na msichana… ata kwa nyumba yake waliransack kila mahali,” she narrates.
Through her lawyer, Jerono alleges that plainclothes officers apprehended her without proper explanation and later proceeded to their family residence, where they allegedly harassed her mother and searched the home.
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Her legal representative argues that the arrest was irregular and intended to intimidate her for exercising her right to freedom of expression, maintaining that the social media post in question did not constitute a criminal offence.
The family says the events have left them emotionally shaken and is demanding a formal investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.
The case has since ignited debate online, with some Kenyans questioning whether law enforcement authorities may have overstepped their mandate and raising broader concerns about social media regulation.
“Mimi, my only worry is, on Monday I will be going back to school, watoto watanichukulia aje?” Ruto wonders.
By Joseph Mambili
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