Senator Samson Cherarkey has called for a formal investigation into alleged involvement of police officers in the seizure and repossession of property from defaulting debtors and their guarantors in Mosoriot Village, Chesumei Sub-County, Nandi County.
The Nandi Senator raised the matter in the Senate following reports that on January 16 and 17, 2026, police officers from Mosoriot Police Station reportedly raided homes of residents and confiscated dairy cows over alleged unpaid debt obligations.
The claims have sparked concern over the legality of police participation in civilian debt recovery processes and the potential misuse of state authority in private financial disputes.
Allegations Raise Legal Questions
According to Senator Cherarkey, the reported actions have caused anxiety among residents and raised serious concerns about whether due process was followed.
He has requested the relevant Senate Committee to provide a comprehensive update on the status of investigations into the incidents, including details on which agencies are leading the probe, the timelines involved, and any interim or final findings.
The Senator further sought clarification on whether the alleged involvement of police officers in the seizure of dairy cows was lawful and consistent with existing legal and procedural frameworks governing enforcement and recovery of debts.
Civil debt recovery in Kenya typically requires court-sanctioned processes, including warrants issued through judicial channels. Law enforcement officers may provide security during court-authorised enforcement but are not ordinarily mandated to execute private repossessions outside established legal procedures.
The matter therefore raises broader governance and compliance questions within the financial and enforcement ecosystem, particularly in rural credit markets where livestock often serves as collateral.
Request for Accountability
Senator Cherarkey has also asked for details of any disciplinary, administrative or criminal action taken against the officers involved, should investigations establish misconduct or abuse of authority.
In addition, he has sought data on the number of similar incidents reported to the National Police Service and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, together with the findings and current status of investigations in each case.
Oversight of police conduct in Kenya falls under IPOA, which is mandated to investigate complaints against police officers and recommend prosecutions or disciplinary measures where warranted.
The Senator’s intervention places focus on institutional accountability mechanisms and whether adequate safeguards exist to prevent misuse of law enforcement resources in civil financial disputes.
Economic and Livelihood Implications
The reported confiscation of dairy cows has particular economic significance in Nandi County, where dairy farming is a major source of household income and local economic activity.
Livestock functions not only as a productive asset but also as a form of financial security and collateral in informal and semi-formal lending arrangements. Disruptions to dairy production can therefore have ripple effects on household cash flows, cooperative societies and local milk processors.
Financial analysts note that enforcement practices in debt recovery must balance creditor rights with borrower protections, especially in agricultural communities where asset seizures may undermine long-term productivity.
The issue also touches on the broader regulatory environment governing microfinance institutions, savings and credit cooperatives, and informal lending arrangements that operate in rural areas.
Safeguards and Oversight Mechanisms
In his request, Senator Cherarkey called on the Committee to outline safeguards and oversight mechanisms currently in place to prevent misuse of police authority in civil debt recovery matters.
He also asked for information on enforcement measures supporting those safeguards and any gaps that may have been identified.
The Senator emphasised the need to protect citizens from potential abuse of state power while ensuring that law enforcement agencies operate strictly within the confines of the law.
“We must ensure that police officers do not become instruments in private financial disputes outside the law. Citizens must be protected from abuse of authority,” he said.
Broader Governance Concerns
The matter comes at a time when Parliament has been increasing scrutiny of state agencies over adherence to legal mandates and accountability frameworks.
Legal experts say that clear separation between civil enforcement processes and criminal law enforcement functions is essential to maintaining public trust and investor confidence.
If confirmed, unlawful police participation in private debt recovery could expose the state to litigation risks and reputational damage, while undermining confidence in both financial and security institutions.
The Senate Committee is expected to table its findings once investigations are completed, with lawmakers likely to assess whether further legislative or administrative reforms are required to clarify enforcement boundaries.
For residents of Mosoriot and other affected communities, the outcome of the inquiry will determine whether corrective measures are implemented and whether accountability is enforced where necessary.
