Kisumu targets political goons, criminal networks in new security crackdown

Kisumu security chiefs have unveiled measures to restore public order, dismantling criminal networks and eradicate goons in political activities following growing concerns of insecurity ahead of next year's elections.

The resolutions were announced on Wednesday following a meeting of the County Security Committee co-chaired by Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o and county commissioner Mohammed Mwabunzo.

Members of the county executive, city manager, the county assembly and the county security team attended to chart a coordinated response to rising criminal activities.

Mwabunzo who read the resolutions said the county security committee had adopted immediate interventions to enhance public safety, strengthen surveillance and eliminate criminal elements operating across Kisumu. 

Among the key decisions was a declaration of zero tolerance for the use of goons during political gatherings.

Mwabunzo said unregulated security groups, commonly referred to as goons, will not be tolerated during political meetings or public events.

Politicians and organisers of public functions will be provided with adequate security upon request by the National Police Service. 

"We do not condone the use of unregulated security. Adequate security will be provided on request for all lawful public functions and activities across the county," he said.

The committee also announced a joint operation targeting criminal gangs operating within Kisumu's public transport sector. 

Mwabunzo said the county government, working together with public transport stakeholders and national security agencies, would conduct an operation to weed out criminals who have infiltrated the matatu industry.

 "The public transport sector must remain safe and accessible for all citizens," he said. 

The meeting resolved that businesses found to be facilitating or participating in criminal activities will have their licences and permits revoked with immediate effect.

To strengthen intelligence gathering, the committee resolved to establish formal village security committees and neighbourhood security committees across the county. 

The committees will serve as a link between residents and security agencies to improve the reporting of crime and ensure faster responses to emerging threats at the grassroots level.

 Technology also featured prominently in the new security strategy. 

The county government announced plans to work jointly with the national government to roll out an expanded Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance network in residential estates and public spaces. 

Mwabunzo said the high-definition cameras would enable real-time monitoring and provide evidence to help law enforcement agencies identify, track and prosecute criminals. 

The committee also resolved to accelerate the rehabilitation of street lighting across the county, particularly in crime hotspots, informal settlements and major transport corridors where darkness has been blamed for facilitating criminal activities.

 "The county executive and the national government security team shall continue to maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards lawlessness," Mwabunzo said.

The resolutions take effect immediately and implementation teams had already been deployed across all sub-counties. 

Nyong'o said political leaders must abandon the culture of hiring goons to intimidate opponents, arguing that politics should be about development rather than violence. 

He said recent political meetings held in Kisumu without goons had demonstrated that peaceful public gatherings were possible.

The governor said the county has sufficient security personnel capable of securing political meetings and public events, urging leaders to formally request police protection instead of hiring private groups.

 He appealed to young people involved in organised gangs to abandon criminal activities and pursue lawful opportunities.

 "One occupation they should leave completely is goonism because it is detrimental to society," he said. 

Responding to concerns from journalists over reports that some politicians continue to use hired gangs without facing arrests, Mwabunzo said security agencies would investigate any credible information and take appropriate legal action. 

He said they were will convene a security summit involving all political leaders from Kisumu. One of the key agenda items will be ending goonism.

 "It is time we looked at politics as a vehicle for development and not for creating fear among residents." 

Meanwhile, Kisumu city manager Abala Wanga said the county had identified 11 dark spots requiring urgent intervention after repeated cases of vandalism targeting street lighting infrastructure. 

He said stolen copper cables had hampered previous efforts to keep the city illuminated but announced that repairs would be completed by Monday. 

Wanga further revealed that the county plans to begin a major city lighting programme by October involving the installation of more than 1,500 solar-powered street lights integrated with CCTV cameras, alongside about 80 high-mast floodlights.

 He said the project is expected to substantially improve security and economic activity during the night, with the entire city targeted to be fully lit by December. 

The county is also engaging landlords, tenants and residents in a neighbourhood security initiative that encourages the installation of privately owned CCTV cameras facing public roads, with footage linked to a joint emergency response centre being established by the county government and the National Police Service. 

The resolutions come amid heightened public concern over rising incidents of gang-related violence, political disruptions and insecurity in parts of Kisumu, with both levels of government pledging closer collaboration to restore public confidence and maintain law and order.