Kisumu county commissioner Josephine Ouko has directed the police to deal firmly with criminals who are terrorising residents in the county.
Ouko warned criminals that their days are numbered, saying they would not spare those involved in crime.
The directive comes amid concern raised by leaders and residents over the spate of insecurity in the county.
“We are not going to tolerate anybody engaged in crime. They should look for somewhere else because Kisumu is going to be very tough for them as we weed out criminals,” the county commissioner said.
She said they have so far put in place stringent security measures to curb criminal activities across the county.
Ouko cited the intensified police patrol in the seven subcounties as well as collaboration with residents for maximum security.
She called on residents to work closely with the county security team to weed out crime in their midst, saying that security was a collective responsibility.
“We are appealing to residents to volunteer information of any criminal activities. This will help the security team to act swiftly in addressing insecurity,” Ouko said.
The administrator asked parents to instil discipline among their children, warning that those abetting crime by hiding children involved in criminal activities would be dealt with accordingly.
Ouko also lauded residents of Kisumu for embracing and maintaining peace before, during and after the August 9 general election.
“We should continue with the peace and safeguard the gains we have made through the collective peace campaign initiatives in Kisumu,” she said.
“There are people who were waiting for violence to erupt in Kisumu and they were disappointed. You showed the world that the people of Kisumu are very peaceful.”
Ouko commended the media in Kisumu for responsible reporting by sensitising residents on the importance of peace.
“We worked closely with journalists in Kisumu and that should continue. You indeed exercise sensitive conflict reporting. People were shocked to see Kondele very peaceful during and after the election,” she said.
The county commissioner further urged residents to use alternative ways of solving disputes amongst them.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili asked security agencies to ensure residents are protected as well as their property.
“We are appealing to you to deal firmly with criminals who are out to ruin the peace that Kisumu people have since been enjoying,” Owili said.
Kisumu Central deputy county commissioner Hussein Alaso Hussein said his subcounty security team are closely monitoring those involved in crime for arrest and prosecution.
He said police have been deployed and intensified patrol in the lakeside city to curb crime.
Recently, human rights defender Audi Ogada blamed police laxity for the increased crime.
He said it is the constitutional right of every Kenyan to be protected and that security is the responsibility of the government.
Ogada said the increase of crime in Kisumu is a matter of growing concern to residents and the situation must be addressed without further delay.
“We must strongly protest as this is purely attributed to the ineffectiveness of some police officers and the uncoordinated patrols,” the humans rights activist said.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
