Leaders alarmed by insecurity in Trans-Nzoia, want patrols intensified

By Osinde Obare

Leaders in Trans-Nzoia County have raised concern over rising insecurity in the area.

This as police blamed the spate of crime on failure by locals to embrace community policing.

Led by Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny and Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation National Treasurer Noami Okul, the leaders petitioned the Government to beef up security to enable residents enjoy Christmas festivities.

Armed gangsters have been terrorising residents and robbing them of their valuables.

Four people, including three suspected criminals, were killed in the area last week.

In Rafiki trading centre, thugs armed with an AK 47 rifle shot dead a man and injured another before robbing customers in a local pub of Sh30,000 and other belongings.

In Cherangany, three suspected criminals were lynched by the public following a foiled robbery.

The criminals had allegedly trailed a businessman from Kitale to Hututu trading centre, but were cornered by the public.

The thugs reportedly hired a saloon car and pursued the businessman, Mr Andrew Koech, and unsuccessfully tried to abduct him.

The leaders urged the Government to step up security patrols, adding that the residents were now living in fear following the upsurge in crime.

“We want the Government to tame crime. People are living in fear because of the suspected criminals,” said Kuttuny.

Ms Okul urged the local security team to ensure officers intensify patrols and use intelligence reports to arrest criminals.

Kitale Deputy OCPD Duncan Nguthu accused the public of failing to work closely with security agencies to tame crime.

“The public are reluctant to provide us with vital information which could help us apprehend criminals. We are appealing to them to embrace community policing to turn the situation around,” said Nguthu.