Leaders ask State to assure on security during holidays
Concerns over insecurity prominently featured in yesterday’s Jamhuri Day celebrations in various counties, with leader’s condemning rising crime rates and calling for security assurance during the festive season.
In Nyamira, leaders expressed anger over the failure by security agents to combat crime. Leaders who attended the event at Nyamira Boys High School said hardly a day passes without a robbery incident being reported in the county.
They claimed no serious actions were being taken despite the county having enough vehicles and security personnel.
Nyamira county commissioner Amos Mariba assured residents that security has been beefed up in all major towns and centres to deal with criminals.
Mariba asked residents to report suspects to police for action.
At the same time, Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama said his government has put enough measures in place to offer effective services to residents. He said before his term expires in 2022, he would construct 2,000 affordable housing units in the area.
Penetrate forums
In Kisumu, county commissioner Susan Waweru raised concern over increased cases of criminal activities involving teenagers.
She said a new wave of crime has hit Kisumu town and its environs, where young girls armed with knives were now being used to rob residents.
Speaking in Kisumu town, the commissioner urged parents to take a keen interest in the activities their children were engaging in to help the government curb the vice.
She said the government has enhanced security surveillance as Christmas holidays approach, warning that the law would take its course against criminals.
Waweru affirmed that the ban imposed on ‘disco matanga’ in the area was still on, and those found contravening the law would not be spared. She said some criminal elements penetrate such forums to engage in criminal activities, including rape.
The official directed chiefs and their assistants to revitalise the Nyumba Kumi Initiative in their locality and to help in prompt relaying of insecurity-related incidents.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o hailed the national government for undertaking to construct a 4km dyke on River Nyando that burst its banks, displacing over 10,000 people who are now living in four rescue centres.
Boost security
The governor, however, reiterated that a long-lasting solution only lies in the envisaged construction of Koru-Soin dam on the Kisumu-Kericho border.
Elsewhere in Uasin Gishu, county commissioner Abdi Jaldesa said the government will increase police patrols in residential estates in Eldoret town and its environs following re-emergence of a deadly criminal gang.
Speaking at the Teacher Advisory Centre grounds in Eldoret town, he assured residents of the affected estates that the police will deal decisively with the knife-wielding gang.
According to the commissioner, the gang comprises more than 20 youths aged between 15 and 25. He said the gang was attacking people coming from work as early as 6pm.
“We are not going to spare members of the criminal gang that has been terrorising residents of Mwanzo, Kahoya, Munyaka, Mwenderi and Langas estates at night,” he said.
Jaldesa said police have formed 16 units that will secure all residential estates, adding that those found engaging in criminal activities will be dealt with ruthlessly by the security personnel.
In Kisii, the county commissioner, Stephen Kihara, has spelt out strategies meant to boost security in the area during the ongoing holidays. Addressing residents at Gusii stadium, Kihara disclosed his plan to work with the county government to enforce operational hours of sale and consumption of alcohol.
Area Governor James Ongwae condemned killings being witnessed in the county, and cited a recent incident whereby a man allegedly murdered his wife and dumped her body in a pit latrine in Marani.
Report suspects
At the same time, Embu county commissioner Abdullahi Galgalo said security has been beefed up ahead of Christmas festivities.
He added that officers have launched massive security operations, including carrying out daily night patrols in all corners of the county.
“We have heavily deployed our officers from various security agencies that are currently carrying out daily intensified night patrols in all parts of Embu county to ensure security is tight when we are approaching the festive season,” he said.
Galgalo urged members of public to be vigilant and report to police officers suspects for action to be taken.
He also warned bar owners against opening businesses outside the stipulated time.
Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi said all bars should be located in market places and not villages. Reporting by Evans Nyakundi, Winstone Chiseremi, Ombega Momanyi, Brian Musyoka and KNA
