Fear and frustration have reportedly engulfed police officers serving in Nairobi as allegations emerge of sustained bullying, public humiliation and verbal abuse by regional police commander Issa Mohamud.
According to multiple officers who spoke in confidence, Mohamud has allegedly turned official police communication channels and security meetings into platforms for intimidation, openly insulting senior officers before their juniors and colleagues.
The atmosphere within police stations across Nairobi is said to have deteriorated sharply, with officers describing a command structure driven by fear rather than professionalism.
“He insults officers like criminals,” said one senior officer who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals. “Nobody wants to speak on the police handset anymore because you can be humiliated before the whole city.”
Mohamud is accused of repeatedly hurling insults such as “stupid,” “useless,” “incompetent” and “corrupt” at Sub-County Police Commanders, commonly referred to as OCPDs, as well as Officers Commanding Stations (OCS).
Several officers claimed the insults are often delivered publicly through the police pocket handset system, meaning hundreds of officers monitoring operations across Nairobi can hear the exchanges in real time.
In one incident during last week’s anti-government demonstrations over the rising cost of fuel, Dagoretti North OCPD reportedly found himself at the receiving end of Mohamud’s anger while attempting to issue a routine operational update.
The officer had reportedly informed the regional command center that his team had dispersed demonstrators from Kangemi and that some protesters had escaped toward neighboring Westlands.
Before he could complete the update, Mohamud allegedly interrupted him furiously over the handset.
“Who is that fool on the handset?” Mohamud reportedly shouted. “Have you turned yourself into a journalist to start telling us where the demonstrators have escaped to? How many have you arrested, you fool? You are one of the most useless police officers I have ever seen and you have no business being in that office. Even a constable can serve in that position better than you.”
The exchange reportedly left officers monitoring the communication stunned.
“It was embarrassing,” another officer said. “You could hear silence on the radio afterward because everyone was shocked.”
Sources indicated that the Dagoretti North commander was not the only senior officer humiliated that day. Gigiri OCPD also reportedly faced Mohamed’s wrath over the police communication system during the same operation.
A separate incident reportedly occurred a week earlier involving a senior officer stationed in Ruai. According to sources familiar with the matter, Mohamed publicly rebuked the officer and his entire team, accusing them of incompetence.
“You and your entire team are in that office by default and I even wonder how you joined the police service,” Mohamud allegedly thundered over the handset. “You better pack and go back to your villages. Nyinyi ni askari bandia.”
The Swahili phrase loosely translates to “You are fake police officers.”
Officers claim such incidents have become increasingly common under Mohamed’s leadership, creating a toxic working environment across Nairobi police formations.
Beyond operational briefings, Mohamud is also accused of humiliating officers during internal meetings, often making personal remarks about their hygiene and appearance.
According to several sources, some officers have been openly told they emit foul smell because they do not shower or brush their teeth properly.
On some occasions, officers have allegedly been ordered out of meetings or chased from Mohamud’s office after he claimed they smelled unpleasant.
“One day he told a senior officer to leave because he said his breath was bad,” a source claimed. “Imagine being embarrassed like that in front of your juniors after serving in the police for over twenty years.”
The alleged conduct has reportedly left many officers demoralized and emotionally exhausted.
“People are no longer motivated,” another officer said. “Most senior officers are simply surviving and protecting their jobs.”
Several officers contrasted Mohamud’s leadership style with that of his predecessors, former Nairobi police bosses Adamson Bungei and George Seda.
Unlike Mohamud, the two former commanders are described by officers as approachable and consultative leaders who freely interacted with officers across all ranks.
“Bungei and Seda would engage officers respectfully even when correcting mistakes,” one officer observed. “But now officers fear even making suggestions because they are viewed as enemies.”
Sources within the service further allege that Mohamud prefers operating independently and reacts negatively to officers who attempt to advise or question decisions.
“He runs everything solo,” an officer claimed. “If you try to propose something different, he sees you as someone trying to outshine him.”
Concerns have also emerged regarding the alleged arrest and detention of Central Police Station OCS Dishen Angoya following the release of 64 suspects arrested during recent demonstrations.
According to sources familiar with the incident, Angoya had reportedly consulted his immediate superior, who authorized the suspects to be released on cash bail and instructed them to appear in court the following day.
However, when information regarding the release reached Mohamud, he allegedly ordered Angoya’s arrest without first establishing the circumstances surrounding the decision.
“Angoya followed procedure and consulted his OCPD before releasing the suspects,” a source familiar with the matter claimed. “But the regional boss allegedly reacted without listening to any explanation.”
The incident reportedly heightened anxiety among officers, many of whom now fear making operational decisions independently.
Police officers interviewed described an environment where commanders feel constantly intimidated and vulnerable to public humiliation.
Some officers now reportedly avoid speaking during operational briefings unless absolutely necessary, fearing ridicule or verbal attacks over the communication system.
“The morale is extremely low,” said one officer. “Officers are no longer working with confidence. Everyone is afraid of becoming the next target.”
Despite the growing complaints, few officers are willing to formally challenge the regional commander due to fears of transfers, disciplinary action or career repercussions.
For now, many continue reporting to duty quietly while enduring what some describe as one of the most difficult command environments Nairobi police officers have experienced in recent years.
