A charged crowd in Kisumu East turned against their area MP, Shakeel Ahmed Shabbir, during the commissioning of a new police headquarters in Kasagam on Friday, accusing him of prioritizing police infrastructure at the expense of urgent socio-economic needs.
Tensions flared as Shabbir, speaking in the presence of Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja Kirocho, listed a string of police projects funded under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). These included facilities in Chiga, Ragumo, Mowlem, and the Mamboleo slaughter area.
“This is just one,” Shabbir said, referring to the newly unveiled Kasagam facility. “There is another one at Ragumo. Chiga is 80% complete. In Chiga again, we are constructing a district magistrate court. We are coming back to Mowlem — I’ve spoken to the governor, he’ll give us space for another police station. And at Mamboleo slaughterhouse, we are also putting up a station.”
His comments sparked an immediate and vocal backlash. “Are you making roads or building more police stations?” one resident shouted, drawing thunderous applause and shifting the tone of the event. As chants and heckles grew louder, Shabbir abruptly ended his speech, handing the microphone back to the master of ceremonies and exiting the stage.
Residents accused the veteran legislator — the longest-serving MP in the country — of neglecting core issues such as youth unemployment, deteriorating road networks, lack of a local medical training college, and under-resourced schools.
“Police stations are not our priority,” a resident said. “We need jobs, schools, and good roads.” Others warned that Shabbir’s grip on the seat may be slipping, amid growing disillusionment with his performance.
The confrontation exposed a widening rift between leadership and constituents, amplifying frustrations over stalled development in Kisumu East. As scrutiny over Shabbir’s legacy intensifies, Friday’s events could mark a pivotal moment in the constituency’s political direction.
