County records reduced crime rates over three years

By Ben Ahenda

The rate of crime in Nakuru County has reduced for the last three years.

This includes highway crime, carjacking and mugging.

Reported cases have reduced from 4,426 in 2009 to 2,200 in 2010 and have fallen to below 1,200 at present.

In the cases of highway crime, authorities said the offences have reduced to a level that security officials were only recording a case monthly or none at all.

Security threats had been a major concern to the county residents and the fall in crime rates has inspired investors to troop back.

Outgoing Nakuru OCPD Johnstone Ipara said co-operation between the public and the security team was the driving factor.

Mr Ipara said since his posting to Nakuru in 2009, he had received co-operation from members of the public, which had seen the crime rates falling.

Ipara, who moves to Transmara in the same capacity, appealed to his successor Benard Kioko to follow suit. “At the time, carjacking was rampant and we could record seven to ten cases weekly but we managed to reduce them drastically,” he said.

Ipara made the remarks at a farewell dinner party hosted on his behalf by Nakuru Police Division at a Nakuru hotel at the weekend.

Ipara advised Mr Kioko to embrace community policing in order to effectively combat insecurity in the region. The outgoing police officer was showered with praise from all speakers for instilling confidence between the security forces and the public.

Incoming Rift Valley Provincial Police Officer John Mbijiwe, who moves to the region from Central Province, promised more measures to maintain security throughout the province.