Kisumu residents petition police boss over high insecurity

Nyanza Regional Police Co-ordinator Willy Lugusa

Residents in Kisumu have petitioned Nyanza Regional Police Commandant Willy Lugusa over escalating insecurity.

In an open letter to Mr Lugusa, the residents demanded that the Kisumu County Policing Authority be formed as stipulated in the National Police Service Act section 41.

Through Kisumu City Residents Voice Chairman Audi Ogada, they also demanded that the county government comes up with a cosmopolitan security team to complement the police.

This had been floated at one time by the county assembly members.

“We appeal that co-ordination between the regular police, Administration Police, Kenya Wildlife Service officers, prison warders, private security firms and others be enhanced and closely monitored specifically on the ammunition they use,” said Mr Ogada.

He said some officers have served in this region since they were recruited and now wants them transferred.

This had been raised by Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura and his Kisumu East counterpart Shakeel Shabbir, who requested the President to facilitate the transfers.

“These lots are mostly within the regular police, the traffic police and non-uniformed Administration Police officers, who have worked here since 1990s and are well known,” said Ogada.

The residents called on capacity building for chiefs and their assistants so that they are well equipped in dealing with and handling crime and their scorecard in terms of work must be checked daily.

Witness protection specifically for people volunteering information to police was also raised, with residents saying their safety must be guaranteed.

“Our worry is that despite frequent pleas to the police to arrest well-known perpetrators, the tragedy is that the pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Our cries will still be louder than the bereaved if this is not addressed conclusively,” said Ogada.

He condemned the excessive force the police allegedly used in Obunga while discharging their duty and asked Lugusa to apologise for the same.

Trust police

Last week, there was a three-day crackdown in the informal settlement as the police searched for a fire arm said to be in the hands of criminals.

Lugusa had earlier asked residents to trust the police and specifically him by relaying any information that might be of help to nab criminals, boost investigations or prevent crimes. The residents called on the AP response team that was formed to be reviewed so that it is inclusive of all security apparatus.

“The response numbers should be made public to all residents. A majority of the residents don’t have the number,” said Ogada.