Police have stepped up security in Eldoret following a recent surge in cases of robberies by gangs who use boda bodas to commit crime and escape.
Uasin Gishu county police commander Benjamin Mwanthi said they have deployed additional patrols in affected areas especially within Elgeon View estate and neighbouring areas.
“We have identified affected areas and we warn those involved that they either surrender or we will catch up with them,” Mwanthi said.
This comes after the arrest of three suspects linked to armed robberies in the town.
Police also recovered a pistol and a motorcycle used by the suspects in the robberies.
The suspects had rented a house in the town as their operating base.
Mwanthi said they had been trailing the suspects who were arrested in the rented house at Baharini area.
"They have been terrorising residents especially within Elgon View estate and other areas," he said.
He said they also recovered more than 40 mobile phones suspected to have been snatched from residents.
Among the three is a suspect who runs a mobile phones repair shop in the town where the stolen phones are flushed and sold.
"We urge residents who may have lost their phones to visit the Eldoret central police station and identify the stolen phones," Mwanthi said.
Mwanthi who was with county DCI boss Daniel Muleli, said two of the suspects were from Nairobi but had rented the house in Eldoret since March.
Muleli said the suspects had been identified using cameras installed in several areas.
The gun had so far discharged six bullets, Muleli said it would be subjected to further investigations.
The top county security chiefs said they had been working with residents to enforce security measures in the entire county.
“We urge residents to continue reporting about suspects and incidents of crime so that we keep our county safe at all times,” Mwanthi said.
Since Mwanthi took over as commander more than a year ago, records indicate that incidents of crime in the region have dropped following measures to enhance security.
Police in the region have also warned boda boda riders to avoid being used by criminals. They asked the riders to also identify criminals who pose as boda boda riders.
