By Erick Kyalo for KNA
GARISSA– North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno has announced the beefing up of police patrols in sections of Garissa town in a move to tame rising gang activity during which gangsters have been terrorizing residents’ day and night.
This comes just a few days after the officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Garissa launched investigations into a robbery incident where gun men stole Sh1.3 million from an Mpesa Shop.
In a scene caught by CCTV footage, two hooded men wielding AK 47 rifles are seen entering the shop at 7:40pm and ordering those inside to lie down as two others stand guard outside.
The incident is reported to have happened on Thursday evening in Dobale area, Galbet ward, Garissa Township.
Speaking today in Garissa where he chaired a security meeting bringing together Garissa governor, top regional and county security commanders and chiefs, the Regional Commissioner said they have arrested 15 suspects armed with knives and pangas and that the operation will continue until the criminals are rooted out.
“We have had insecurity incidences where people have been mugged, people have been stabbed, and shops have been broken into by armed criminals. We have put in place measures to stabilize and tame insecurity in this town, in terms of serious deployment of officers in the identified areas, collecting intelligence to deal with this insecurity,” Otieno said.
“It is our responsibility as those who are charged with upholding security in this region to be able to contain the security situation and give assurance to the members of the public to go about their businesses without fear of being attacked at any given time,” he added.
Otieno further assured the business community and traders in Garissa town that they have nothing to fear while conducting their businesses and that the government will do everything possible to bring an end to the rising crime.
He directed the area officers commanding various police stations (OCSs) not to give in to pressure by certain individuals to release arrested criminals noting that the rule of law must take its course firmly in dealing with criminals.
At the same time, he warned the officers against involving themselves in unlawful matters like covering up for criminals or releasing them without charges cautioning that they will be punished for such acts.
“We are pushing for a 24 – hour economy and it cannot be that the residents of this town cannot do their business because of fear of being robbed. The incidents that have been reported are also accompanied by the issue of drug peddling,” he said.
Garissa governor Nathif Jama on his part noted that the county is already dealing with many other issues related to security such as the Al shabaab and that the gangs in town should not continue to operate.
There are worries in the county that the operation of the gangs, especially now that one person has died after being attacked, will escalate to inter-clan conflicts.
“We have our own other challenges when it comes to security because this county is very delicate. This is not something we should entertain at all,” Jama said.
“Chiefs should work hard and help us contain this insecurity because, I am told that these people are known in the villages. Don’t not allow this issue to escalate into an inter-clan issue,” he added.
