Arati deplores rising Kisii insecurity, calls on police officers to act

Governor Simba Arati has deplored increasing insecurity in Kisii County and challenged security officers to ensure suspects are taken to court to face the law to deter others.

The governor noted the lawlessness being witnessed in the area was alarming, noting some security officers arrested suspects and left them free.

He cited an incident in the Keroka area where criminals raided a Ward office, destroyed and stole properties, arrested and freed, terming it wrong and unacceptable.

“A person was also killed in Kenyenya sub county on Monday, suspect nabbed with blood stained motorbike, apprehended and released,” Arati said during the flagging off of 200,000 hass avocado plants to farmers across the county.

He said it was the duty of the police to protect people and properties, noting that if they fail, residents will be forced to protect themselves.

“I urge police to protect peoples’ lives and properties so that they do not resort to protecting themselves,” Arati said.

The governor said if the insecurity continues while the police watch, he will give residents a direction before the end of the week as he stressed that suspects who raided the ward office be nabbed.

He noted it was wrong for people to destroy properties and kill others and challenged security officers to arrest all the criminals to clear doubts that they are not behind them.

He appealed to residents to embrace the variety, noting it has a high demand in the global market compared to other cash crops and is used to make various products.

Arati spoke during the launch of the exercise yesterday at Kisii Agricultural Training Centre, he said the county and the European Union through the Instruments for Devolution Advice and Support ( IDEAS) program.

“The demand for avocado fruits has increased remarkably due to the growing consumer awareness on the potential health benefits of the fruit,” Arati said.

The governor challenged farmers to take advantage of the conducive climate in the area, adding, the county has a comparative advantage in production of avocado, banana, key in the value chain in promoting food security, creating jobs and generating incomes. He said the county has 1,564 acres under jumbo avocado variety, which produces 16.5 metric tons per acres, which translates to 25,800 tons per yea