Enhanced security operations in Kiambu after crime soars
The government will conduct serious security operations at Handege village in Gatundu South, Kiambu county to end the insecurity that has left three people dead under mysterious circumstances in a span of one month.
Gatundu South sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Stanley Kamande announced a 24-hour police patrol will be conducted at the village to weed out the goons believed to have staged various forms of crime thereby stalling economic activities in the area.
In a heated public baraza that saw political, religious and security leaders engage with locals, Kamande announced that police will conduct serious operations against idlers found roaming within the village shopping centre.
He insisted that no idler will be spared during police crackdowns and urged all youth without jobs to either start farming or engage in meaningful economic engagements.
“We will not need a curfew to tame insecurity in this village. A serious day and night operation that will see all idlers arrested will calm waters. If you are a youth and you have no job, go start farming as we will spare no one. If you have nothing to do, give your parents company at home,” warned Kamande.
Gatundu South sub ccounty police commander Wilmot Mwakiyo expressed the need for revamping of community policing and Nyumba Kumi programmes in curbing rising insecurity in the area.
“I also urge you to continue volunteering information. Don’t be silent when your neighbour’s house is being broken into because the next one will be yours. We will have enough officers for 24-hour operations to help fight the criminals,” said Mwakio.
The new security measures were announced after weeks of uproar from locals who decried armed criminals attack them at night where they also rob them of home appliances, farm harvests before they flee in darkness.
Recently, Lucy Nyanjega Kariuki, a 58-year-old woman was found dead in her house with locals suspecting that she could have been murdered by unknown assailants.
Nyanjega’s body, residents said, was found inside her house lying on the floor with blood oozing from her mouth while her radio and television were on.
Early in the month, the residents revealed a guard manning Handege Primary School was murdered by unknown criminals who made away with the school laptops, projector among other items.
The criminals are said to have broken into the school’s electronic stores where they found the key electronics before they later moved to Handege Secondary School where they also stole items of unknown value.
They have also been raiding farms where thousands worth of arrowroots, immature maize and bananas are stolen for sale to unknown markets.
Residents suspect that the criminals could be an illegal attacking sect that is forming and which they insist should be tamed before it spreads its wings to the neighboring villages.
Addressing the residents during the baraza, newly elected area MCA Joe Kigara said the devolved government will fast-track establishment of engagements that will lessen idleness among the youth in the villages.
“We are planning to have yearly football leagues that will ensure our youths at the grassroot are fully occupied with no space for evil-thinking. It has worked before and we will make it work even here,” said Kigara.
