Former Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Chief Inspector Dishon Angonya has reportedly been transferred to Garissa following the controversy surrounding his alleged release of 64 youths arrested during anti-fuel price protests in Nairobi.
Angonya, who had been serving at Nairobi’s busy Central Police Station, found himself at the centre of national attention after he was arrested over claims that he unlawfully authorised the release of dozens of protesters detained during demonstrations sparked by the soaring cost of fuel and the rising cost of living.
According to police reports, the 64 youths had been arrested on allegations related to public order offences during the protests that rocked parts of Nairobi.
Authorities later accused Angonya of abusing his office by releasing the suspects without following the required legal procedures.
The senior officer’s arrest triggered mixed reactions among Kenyans.
While some viewed his actions as a violation of police regulations, others praised him, arguing that he had shown compassion to young Kenyans who were exercising their constitutional right to protest against the increasing economic hardships facing many households.
At the height of the controversy, Angonya was briefly hospitalised after reportedly developing health complications following his arrest.
Reports indicated that he complained of high blood pressure while in custody, prompting his admission to hospital under tight security.
The anti-fuel protests that led to the arrests had erupted after a sharp rise in fuel prices triggered outrage among motorists, matatu operators and ordinary citizens struggling with the high cost of living.
Demonstrations in Nairobi and other parts of the country disrupted transport services, with some areas witnessing clashes between protesters and police.
Police records indicated that more than 200 individuals had been arrested during the protests, with authorities promising to pursue those involved in acts of violence, destruction of property and other offences committed during the unrest.
However, the release of the 64 youths by the Central OCS became one of the most talked-about incidents arising from the demonstrations.
Now, reports indicate that Angonya has been redeployed to Garissa in what many observers see as a significant career shift for the once-powerful Nairobi station commander.
The transfer has reignited debate over internal police disciplinary measures and the extent of discretion that commanding officers should exercise when handling suspects in custody.
As discussions continue online and in public spaces, the fate of Chief Inspector Angonya remains a subject of keen public interest. To some, he is an officer who acted outside the law and must face the consequences.
To others, he is a police commander who chose humanity over bureaucracy at a time when public frustration over economic challenges had reached boiling point.
Whether the transfer to Garissa marks the end of the chapter or the beginning of a new one in Angonya’s policing career remains to be seen.
FOLLOW NAIROBI NEWS ON FACEBOOK
