Nyanza top cop was recalled after stopping raid on bishop's home

The failed police raid on the Kisumu home of a senior clergy prompted the recalling of Nyanza Regional Police Commander Noah Mwivanda.

Mwivanda was less than a week old in the region when he was Tuesday ordered to vacate office and usher in a new commander Manasse Musyoka.

It has now emerged Mwivanda had stopped a planned raid on the rented home of a bishop.

Police say they were investigated for money laundering.

This angered those behind the incident. And the move to transfer Mwivanda has caused concerns internally.

Police officers in three vehicles on Monday morning stormed the home located at Migosi estate in Kisumu central sub-county, demanding to know his whereabouts.

According to the family, the bishop was away during the incident and the police hurriedly left upon the arrival of other church members and journalists.

Officials have revealed the team arrived from Nairobi for a mission that is yet to be known.

They had been sent by a senior official in Nairobi for the raid following comments that the bishop had made in regard to the anti-government protests and police response to them.

And when Mwivanda heard there were police officers at the home on Monday, April 3, he sought to know who they were and their mission.

Those aware of the developments say after he listened to their explanation he asked if they had a warrant and why his office had not been informed of the raid for easy coordination.

“After realizing the mission was shrouded with confusion and was likely to cause damages and deaths, he ordered them to leave the place,” said an official aware of the issue.

Mwivanda refused to comment on the matter. He said he is back at police headquarters, Nairobi and is at peace.

He has, however, told his colleagues and friends the incident prompted his immediate transfer.

Police headquarters did not respond to calls on the issue.

His actions did not please those behind the said raid and are said to have pushed for his removal.

Mwivanda reported to the station on March 27 while Musyoka reported to the same station on Wednesday, April 5.

Sources aware of the issue said the people who went to the home had been sent by a senior political figure with an unclear mission and it is linked to earlier statements on the protests.

The bishop is stationed in Bondo, Siaya County. He said his family had been informed that he was being sought for allegedly taking part in money laundering.

“The police officers, who went to my place in Kisumu, said they were sent by someone I don’t know. You don’t have to carry guns to come and arrest me. You simply send me a note, and I will take myself to the nearest police station.”

“When they interrogated my family, they said I am involved in money laundering. Surely, they need to have a better lie. I don’t understand why these people came to my home,” he said.

The Nyanza Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) officials in Kisumu are now demanding an explanation over the matter.

Led by Bishop Edwin Ogolla, the NCCK officials want police to come out and give details on the reasons for pursuing the bishop.

“They (police) started hitting the door arrogantly and even removed locks, looking into the house. It is wrong for the police to do such, if there is any problem, a warrant should have been given,” Ogolla said. 

Reverend Beatrice Atieno Oloo said the incident left the Bishop’s spouse and children traumatized following the ordeal as the officers even attempted to break into his house.