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Residents alarmed by violent robberies

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Published on Saturday, 02 June 2007 01:27

The Government has set up four police posts within Kisii Municipality to curb violent robberies. At a stormy meeting with the business community and town residents, the acting District Commissioner, Mr Osman Warfa, was challenged to explain why police had yet to arrest suspects in connection with a series of violent robberies that have left five people dead.

The business community leaders and the town residents, led by Mr Benjamin Onkoba, said that more than 50 homes had been attacked by gangsters armed with guns and other weapons. The thugs have robbed and raped their victims without being arrested, they said. They told the DC that the police are taking too long, sometimes all day, to arrive at scenes of robbery after being alerted, either by telephone or by individuals reports.

For the past two months, the town residents have been spending sleepless nights for fear of attack by armed terror gangs dressed in security personnel uniforms. Last week, a gang shot dead a businessman and critically injured another and three weeks ago an education officer was shot dead after villagers fought a gang for two hours. However, Mr Warfa assured the leaders at the meeting that the establishment of the four police posts was a sign of the Government's commitment to reducing the alarming crime levels. He said that the police posts will be located at Gesonso, Mwembe Tayari, Menyinkwa and the Gusii ASK showground.

He urged the public to assist the police by reporting any suspicious-looking characters in their neighbourhoods. The DC said vigilante groups will be established to help the police in tracking down the thugs, adding that one suspect has been arrested and a gun recovered from him. The residents condemned what they termed police lethargy whenever the force received distress calls from gang victims.The worst-hit areas are Nyanchwa, Gesonso, Nyamataro, Jogoo and Mwembe Tayari.

They also demanded that the DC explain why police had no vehicles and petrol to track down the thugs who they said are now operating with impunity. The residents said the Ramasha Police Station had no vehicle to assist in crime prevention, while, at the Kisii Police Station, the officers always complained that their vehicle had no petrol whenever they were called by robbery victims. They pledged to raise funds to buy petrol for police vehicles to track down the thugs.

However, the DC insisted that the Government was serious in its efforts to eliminate thuggery. He said the Government had a duty to protect its citizens and their property and will not abdicate that responsibility.