Thieves strike after residents leave gates open for census

In Homa Bay, an enumerator was hospitalised after being bitten by a dog. [Standard]

Some people were robbed, an enumerator was molested and another bitten by a dog in separate incidents as the census exercise got underway on Saturday.

The first incident happened in Dallas estate, Embu town, after residents left their gates open to facilitate enumerators’ access into their compounds.

But the census officials did not turn up. Instead, the locals woke up to find thieves had made away with clothes left on hanging lines, washing basins and shoes.

In Kisumu, police are investigating an incident where an enumerator was waylaid by two men and molested.

Kisumu West OCPD Edward Wakangara said the victim’s supervisor turned down a police officer’s request to escort them home after the closure of the census exercise.

The supervisor reportedly offered the victim a lift and dropped her off in Lela, 30 metres from her house, where she was attacked.

“It is unfortunate that the dropped off her junior by the roadside in a place that is bushy and lacks proper lighting. Investigations have been launched to arrest the suspects,” said Mr Wakangara.

In Homa Bay, an enumerator was hospitalised after being bitten by a dog while on duty in West Kamagak location on Saturday night.

Rachuonyo South Deputy County Commissioner Mohamud Ibrahim said the enumerator had started work at 6pm and was returning home to eat supper at 10pm when he was attacked.

He was rushed to Kisii Level Five Hospital but was transferred due to lack of a rabies vaccine.