- The thugs reportedly carted away office equipment worth thousands of shillings during the Saturday night raid.
- The break-in of the MCA's office came hot on the heels after stalls were torched in Keroka town sparking the arrest of three people.
Image: MAGATI OBEBO
Kisii Governor Simba Arati on Monday protested the release of suspects linked to Saturday's break-in at Ichuni MCA's office in Keroka, Masaba South.
The thugs reportedly carted away office equipment worth thousands of shillings during the Saturday night raid.
Wycliff Siocha, the local Ward Rep, condemned the incident.
When reached for comment on the incident, Masaba North Subounty police boss Robert Ndambiri did not pick calls to respond to allegations by the Kisii governor.
The break-in of the MCA's office came hot on the heels after stalls were torched in Keroka town sparking the arrest of three people.
Arati said the release of the suspected thugs is frustrating efforts by his administration to press for justice.
"It definitely raises questions when security agencies arrest and release them without proper trial," Arati said.
He also mentioned the alleged murder of a boda boda rider in Kenyenya on Friday where a key suspect was set free under unclear circumstances.
"If that is the direction things are going then we have no option but to ask our people to protect themselves," the county boss told journalists at a function at the local banana factory processing plant.
The Kisii governor said he would hold meetings with the residents to decide the way forward.
"We must find solution to our problems if police are not up to their task, and we can," the ODM party vice chair said.
Arati spoke Monday shortly after presiding over the distribution of hass avocados to farmers.
At least 200,000 seedling are due for distribution to farmers in the subcounty establishments as part of the efforts by the county adminstration to boost the crop's production in the region.
Arati appealed to residents to embrace the variety, noting it has a high demand in the global market compared to other cash crops as it is used to make various products.
“The demand for avocado fruits has increased remarkably due to the growing consumer awareness on the potential health benefits of the fruit,” Arati said.
The governor challenged farmers to take advantage of the conducive climate in the area, adding, the county has a comparative advantage in production of avocados and bananas, which are key in the value chain in promoting food security, creating jobs and generating incomes.
At least 1,564 acres across the county are under cultivation of the avocado variety.
Arati, however, said this was small compared to other regions that embraced the crop variety early.
Kisii, he said, has the potential of producing more than 60,000 metric tonnes per acre with proper husbandry of the avocado variety.