Migori town residents have urged the police to intensify efforts to curb insecurity in the town and its environs.
Speaking to the media, the Secretary General of the Migori Town Resident Association, George Odhiambo, said that residents, business owners, and workers around the Oruba area on the outskirts of Migori town live in fear of being attacked, robbed, and injured by emerging criminal groups.
According to Odhiambo, the majority of people living within the Oruba area are forced to head home early, while businesses are forced to close by 8 pm for fear of being attacked and robbed.
“We are calling the police to increase their patrols at night in the affected areas as well as target criminal gangs and their networks to return normalcy and sanity,” lamented Odhiambo.
The official also noted that security lights along the Oruba area have been vandalized providing a free ground for criminal operations.
He condemned the act of robberies and break-ins, saying that the state of insecurity and safety of the Migori town residents was non-negotiable.
“We cannot have any meaningful development if the residents, workers, and business community live in fear,” he noted.
Odhiambo explained that it was high time they demanded immediate and visible action from the police and all relevant security agencies to address and curb these negative vices in society.
He also called out the political leadership not to be silent or propagate propaganda with the lives of the residents, adding that security is the foundation of good leadership.
“Our politicians must first speak out for our safety and raise their voices when the lives and the livelihoods of the residents are under threat,” he said.
Robert Juma, a businessperson in the Oruba area, said that the insecurity has worsened since the beginning of the year, which continues to affect most of the businesses in terms of profit generation.
“The majority of the businesses sell at peak hours when residents are returning home between 5 pm and 9 pm. We are forced to close our shops at 8 pm because we fear for our safety as well as for the safety of our goods,” he decried.
Government offices have not been spared; criminal gangs have been stealing water pipes, water meters and metal materials, with recent attacks happening to the Migori KNA office, where the vehicle belonging to KNA was vandalized and the car battery stolen.
Early this month, Migori County Police Commander Joel Kiptum issued a stern warning to all criminal entities to desist from their vices, unlicensed gun holders to surrender illegal firearms, and those engaging in illegal businesses to discontinue or face the full force of the law.
By Makokha Khaoya
