Residents call on police to stop spate of crime

By Michael Wesonga

Eldoret residents have raised concern over escalating robbery cases that take place in broad daylight.

They said burglary incidents are so rampant that they fear for their homes when they are out for work, saying organised criminal gangs were to blame for the crimes.

Residents want the police to initiate daytime patrols and respond fast whenever there is a distress call.

Most of the burglary incidents are reported at Action, Langas and Huruma estates.

“I had a nerve cracking experience that made me move from Action to another estate in town. My roommate and I were awakened and clobbered with large rungus,” said Emmanuel Rotich, a student.

 Three criminals

Mr Rotich says three criminals who broke into their house at around 2am in August, inflicted injuries on them.

 “One of them ferried goods that included a gas cooker, television set, woofers, two smart phones and Sh6,000, as two others guarded us,” he adds.

 He suspects the same group was behind two other subsequent attacks in the same plot.

 A fortnight ago, two Eldoret residents had their houses broken into and their household goods stolen.

 James Rotich, a businessman said: “I was puzzled and overwhelmed by emotions after all my property from electronics to furniture and utensils was stolen.”

 He said his efforts to trace the items at second hand household dealers’ shops in town were futile. An almost similar encounter befell Tony Kwali, a civil servant.

 To date, though reported, none of them has received any progress report from the police.

 Eldoret OCPD Erastus Muthamia confirmed they received numerous reports on such incidents and are working round the clock to smash criminal rings operating with impunity in the town.

Mr Muthamia said Criminal Investigation Department officers are working to locate the gang’s hideout and chain of operation before netting them.

Change phone numbers

 “Criminal activities are seasonal, they escalate at certain times of the year only to decline because criminals keep on shuttling towns and changing mobile phone numbers,” he said.

 The town has of late become insecure by as early as 8pm as people get shot, mugged or injured by organised criminals and petty offenders.

 Muthamia asked residents to work closely with the police by offering crucial information that may lead to the arrest of the criminals.