Marsabit leaders and traders have raised concerns over increasing cases of insecurity in the area which has adversely affected business people.
The traders led by Marsabit Chamber of Commerce and Industry official Joseph Humbe Gubo said that a gang of young men had been terrorizing them, especially in the evening.
He appealed to security personnel in the region to come to their rescue.
Humbe said the traders had been forced to close down their businesses for fear of being invaded by thugs.
"Business people in Marsabit have incurred a lot of losses due to insecurity," he said.
He said, their shops have been broken into and goods worth millions of shillings stolen and they are now doing business in fear.
Halima Buno, a local trader stated that the issue at hand needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand.
He attributed the rise of insecurity in the area to the consumption of illicit brews and drugs and substance abuse.
She called on the police commander to deploy more police officers to carry out patrols, especially during the night.
"Everyone desires a conducive environment to reside in and insecurity has deterred us from comfort in our homes and business areas," she said.
He spoke at Marsabit Stadium where a trade fair exhibition was held.
Marsabit central MCA Jacob Elisha said there is a serious security lapse and blamed security agencies for failing to protect them and their property.
"It is quite unfortunate that a number of complaints have been reported with little done," he said.
He called on security officers to develop practical approaches to the serious problem facing traders who are taxpayers.
Jack has given 14 days to Kenya power over the frequent power outages, threatening to call for a demonstration.
He said the power outage has greatly affected residents and business people as they counted losses.
Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo regretted that it had taken the security organs long to arrest the situation.
He said the time had come for security officers to crack down on the criminals.
"We are not living in a jungle law. We have a government and security officers who are paid by taxpayers to make sure the lives and property of Kenyans are protected," he said.
"We cannot have a situation where few criminals are having a field day and making the lives of our people extremely difficult."
He urged residents to work closely with police in order to ensure security is restored.
He called for increased patrol within the town and its environs noting that they will go a long way in improving security.
"I want to tell our people that you equally have a role to play in ensuring the much-needed peace and security is achieved by reporting criminal activities."
Deputy county commissioner Festus Chepkwonyi called on the residents to help the police by sharing the relevant information and said tough action would be taken against the criminals.
