ODM-nominated MP Umulkheir Harun speaking at the meeting.
/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Alarmed by a sharp rise in insecurity in Garissa town and its environs, which has left residents living in fear, stakeholders have embarked on a series of security meetings to address the situation.
On Thursday, political and religious leaders, security personnel, elders, residents and youth representatives held a community engagement in Waberi West location to discuss the deteriorating security situation and chart a way forward.
Waberi West is among the areas hardest hit by the crime wave. Incidents of murder, stabbings, armed robberies and break-ins targeting homes and businesses have become increasingly common.
The latest victim was Osman Aweis, an American citizen of Somali origin who had travelled from the United States to visit relatives in Garissa before he was tragically killed.
Despite differing perspectives on the causes of the insecurity, participants were unanimous on one point: security is a collective responsibility that requires the active involvement of all members of society.
Speaker after speaker pointed to weakening family structures, parental neglect, drug abuse and the shielding of criminals through traditional dispute resolution mechanisms as key drivers of the growing insecurity.
ODM Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun said poor parenting was at the heart of the crisis. “It boils down to poor parenting. Let us look each other in the face and tell each other the truth. As parents and guardians, we have significantly contributed to the problem we are facing today,” she said.
“Many parents have failed to take their responsibilities seriously, and the result is a generation of undisciplined children who end up engaging in crime,” she said.
Harun also criticised the misuse of maslah, the traditional community dispute resolution mechanism, saying it was increasingly being used to shield criminals from prosecution.
“While maslah has served us well in resolving minor disputes, it is now being abused. Individuals known to be involved in serious criminal activities are being protected by their families instead of being taken to court. This is wrong. Criminal cases should be handled by the courts and allowed to proceed to their logical conclusion,” she said.
“We have no business applying maslah in criminal cases. Our security officers have our full support as leaders. These criminals should be profiled, their names shared, and they should be named and shamed,” she said.
“This insecurity has brought shame to our community and portrayed Garissa in a very negative light.”
Iftin Police Station OCS Galgalo Barille said the fight against crime could not be left to law enforcement officers alone.
“It is not the OCS, the chief or the police who will solve this problem. It is you, the community. We must stop covering up and protecting criminals,” he said.
Barille blamed parental negligence for much of the insecurity and raised concerns over what he described as lenient bond terms granted to suspects.
“Many of these criminals can easily afford the bonds set for them. They return to the community and continue terrorising residents while committing more crimes,” he added.
Garissa Deputy subcounty administration police commander Hassan Adan called for honesty and unity in addressing the security challenge.
“This situation calls for honesty and a genuine willingness to fight crime. We need a candid discussion about where things went wrong so that we can effectively address the problem,” he said.
“Crime cannot be fought and defeated by the police or security agencies alone. It requires collective responsibility. If we fail to address this issue now, we will face even bigger challenges in the future.”
Waberi West Assistant Chief Ahmed Abey, whose area hosted the meeting and where the latest killing occurred, urged residents to focus on solutions rather than blame.
“It is unfortunate that our lives have been turned upside down by a few criminals who have chosen to hold an entire community hostage,” he said.
“I want to appeal to parents to wake up to the reality that we have a serious problem that must be confronted collectively. Engaging in blame games will not solve the problem.”
Bula Muzuri Chief Abdirahman Shafeh linked the rising insecurity to increasing cases of drug and substance abuse among young people. “Drugs and substance abuse are among the biggest causes of insecurity. As administrators, we are facing enormous challenges in dealing with youth who have fallen into drug abuse,” he said.
“Once they are under the influence, many resort to criminal activities. Addressing this problem requires a collective effort from all stakeholders.”
Waberi area boda boda operators chairman Garad Abdi Bulle defended the sector against blanket condemnation while acknowledging that a few rogue operators were involved in crime.
“I want to make it clear that not all boda boda operators are criminals. It is only a small number among us who are tarnishing our reputation through criminal activities,” he said.
“The majority of us are hard-working people trying to earn an honest living. The challenge is that many of these criminals are known within the community, yet they continue to be protected and hidden.”
“They commit crimes and then return to the same community, where they find refuge. This must change,” he said.
The meeting comes barely a week after stakeholders, led by Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, convened a high-level security meeting and adopted a raft of measures aimed at restoring peace and order across the township.
Among the resolutions reached was the need to strengthen coordination between communities and law enforcement agencies to improve intelligence gathering and crime prevention efforts.
Stakeholders also urged the government to fast-track the gazettement and operationalisation of the already constructed police stations and police posts in Kunaso and Burburis.
The meeting further resolved that additional police officers be deployed across the four wards of Garissa township to enhance security operations and improve public safety.
Participants also proposed the establishment of a police station in every ward to improve access to policing services and strengthen security coverage across the township.
Iftin Police Station OCS Galgalo Barille speaking at the meeting./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garad Abdi Bulle, chairman of boda boda operators in Waberi,
speaking at the meeting. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garissa Deputy Sub-County Administration Police Commander
Hassan Adan speaking at the meeting. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Waberi West Assistant Chief Ahmed Abey speaking at the
meeting. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
