Garissa women urged to take lead in tackling rising insecurity in Garissa town

Garissa Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad addresses women from the four wards in Garissa Township /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Mothers and women in Garissa town have been urged to take a leading role in addressing the growing wave of insecurity in the town.

Garissa Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad said the fight against crime must begin at home through responsible parenting.

She had convened the meeting to discuss the deteriorating security situation in settlements across Garissa Township and to come up with solutions. 

Siyad spoke to more than 1,000 women from all four wards in Garissa Township.

Violent attacks have become so frequent that hardly a day passes without reports of robberies, assaults or other criminal incidents.

The attacks, some of which are carried out in broad daylight, are allegedly orchestrated by youths aged between 15 and 25. They involve murders, stabbings, armed robberies and break-ins targeting homes and businesses, leaving residents living in fear.

The latest victim of the insecurity was Osman Aweis, an American citizen of Somali origin who was attacked and killed last week.

Osman, who had travelled from the US to visit family residing in Waberi location, Garissa Township, was allegedly attacked by criminals who demanded his mobile phone before stabbing him in the thigh. He later succumbed to excessive bleeding after being found by the roadside.

Siyad emphasised that parents, particularly mothers, have a critical responsibility in shaping the character and conduct of their children.

The Woman Representative said the incident, along with many others that had occurred previously, should concern every right-thinking person.

"Good parenting starts right at home. It starts with us mothers. Many of the social challenges facing the community today can be addressed through stronger parental guidance and supervision. Let us all take our God-given roles seriously,” she said.

Siyad urged mothers to closely monitor their children's activities, instil discipline and moral values, and work together with community leaders and security agencies to curb criminal behaviour before it escalates.

She said women must become active participants in restoring peace and security, arguing that mothers are often the first line of defence in identifying and correcting wayward behaviour among young people.

“Mothers know their children better than anyone else. Good morals are taught right from home and when children go astray, it reflects a breakdown in parental guidance and upbringing,” Siyad said.

The legislator further faulted residents for what she termed double standards on matters of security, saying communities often condemn law enforcement agencies when innocent people are mistreated but remain silent when their own children engage in criminal activities.

“The children are ours; we, the mothers, know them better. It should not be that when the police are harassing and subjecting our people to unfair treatment, we shout at the loudest of our voices, but when our children are the ones harassing, killing and stabbing people, we remain quiet,” she said.

Mariam Hussein urged parents to correct their children whenever they engage in wrongdoing and allow the law to take its course without interference.

“Let us stop applying double standards. When your child is wrong, reprimand him or her and allow the rule of law to take its course. A criminal does not have a tribe or religion, and should be treated as such,” she said.

The worsening insecurity has also dealt a significant blow to business activity, with many traders now closing their premises as early as 6pm for fear of becoming targets of criminal gangs operating in the town.

Several speakers at the meeting called for stronger collaboration between residents, community leaders and security agencies to restore law and order, while urging parents to take greater responsibility in guiding and mentoring their children.