Fear grips Uasin Gishu residents amid series of murders

Uasin Gishu , Kenya: Uasin Gishu residents have raised the alarm over a wave of insecurity in the region.

They accused police patrolling estates of laxity, saying ruthless groups were terrorising them.

This comes following recent killings in Huruma and Strawbag, where three people were murdered by unknown assailants.

At Strawbag Trading Centre, residents retrieved the body of a man from a well. Police have so far arrested two suspects believed to have been in touch with the deceased.

In Huruma estate, locals woke up to the sight of two bodies of elderly men along the road. The two were allegedly hit with a blunt object on their heads as they walked to their homes from work.

"One of the man killed was my neighbour. We are perturbed by the increased murders by unknown individuals whose intentions are not yet clear," said Paul Mwangi, a resident.

He said two other people in the area were killed last December.

 NIGHT PATROLS

Similarly, two watchmen were also murdered in Maili Nne in November last year, sparking protests.

Eldoret West Deputy OCPD Tom Achia, who confirmed the incident, said they had launched investigations into the matter.

County Commissioner Hassan Abdi pledged to increase night patrols in the affected areas adding that they would pursue the assailants.

He maintained that no one has a right to kill another and called on locals to fully embrace the Nyumba Kumi initiative besides relaying information to police.

"We shall not rest until the culprits are arrested and charged," he said.

The locals called for establishment of a police station in the area. "If they set up a police station, we shall no longer be living in fear as we are doing at the moment," he added.