Kisumu residents and police officers from the Central Police Station held a joint party over the weekend to celebrate what the regional security chiefs described as major progress in restoring trust, reducing unrest and strengthening community–police collaboration.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner (RC) Flora Mworoa, who was the Chief Guest, said the region had moved from a period of tension and hostility toward security agencies to a more consultative and stable environment, crediting dialogue with residents and stakeholders for the turnaround.
She singled out last year’s high-profile events in Kisumu, including the public viewing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, which she said were handled peacefully despite widespread fears of unrest.
“Many people expected chaos, but Kisumu remained calm and orderly. That did not happen by accident. It was the result of cooperation between security agencies and members of the public,” Mworoa said.
The RC said regular engagement forums between security officers, transport operators, traders and community leaders had helped defuse potential flashpoints, including previously volatile disputes within the public transport sector.
She, however, warned that emerging social threats posed a serious risk to security and development in the region.
Among the issues she highlighted were rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV), teenage pregnancies, HIV infections among young people and drug and substance abuse.
“These are security issues because they affect the stability of families and the future of our young people. We must all become ambassadors in the fight against GBV and in protecting our children,” she said.
Mworoa announced a sustained crackdown on illicit drugs and second-generation alcohol, saying the trade was fuelling crime and destroying the lives of young people.
She cited recent large seizures of cannabis in the region as evidence of intensified enforcement.
On criminal gangs and political goons, the RC said security agencies had significantly reduced their activities through targeted operations and cooperation from political leaders, warning that the crackdown would continue.
“We have seen a reduction in phone snatching, knife attacks and gang intimidation, but we are not relaxing. Anyone still engaging in criminal activity should know the law will catch up with them,” she said.
She at the same time cautioned the police and government officers against corruption, saying integrity was central to restoring public confidence in government institutions.
Nyanza Regional Police Commander Everlyn Nyamohanga said the improved security situation in Kisumu was largely due to a shift from force-based responses to dialogue with communities.
She cited a long-running dispute between rival groups at Kisumu’s main bus park that had previously led to repeated clashes and loss of lives.
“After several failed attempts to restore order through force, we sat down with the stakeholders, listened to them and allowed them to find solutions. Since then, we have had lasting peace at the bus park,” she said.
She urged officers to continue building trust with residents, saying members of the public often held the key to preventing crime.
The commander also encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce their vulnerability to crime, including installing CCTV cameras in businesses, securing homes and avoiding risky behaviour such as carrying multiple passengers on motorcycles at night.
“Safety starts with you. Police officers cannot be everywhere. When the community and the police work together, crime goes down,” she said.
Nyamohanga appealed to parents to take greater responsibility for their children, saying lack of guidance at home was contributing to youth involvement in crime and risky behaviour.
Market-Milimani Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Seth Kanga lauded the regional security team for what he termed as a new era of cooperation between leaders, residents and law enforcement agencies.
He said the prevailing calm in Kisumu and the wider Nyanza region had created a conducive environment for development and investment.
“We have agreed that we will not entertain destructive demonstrations. Dialogue and collaboration are the way forward if we want jobs for our youth and growth for our town,” Kanga said.
He noted that the national government had lined up major projects in the region, including roads, affordable housing and blue economy initiatives, and said sustained peace would be key to ensuring the benefits reached residents.
Kisumu County Community Policing Chairman Silas Otieno lauded the partnership between the community and security agencies, saying it has gone a long way in enhancing security in the lakeside county.
The celebration brought together police officers, local administrators, business leaders and residents, symbolising what speakers described as a growing culture of partnership in keeping Kisumu secure.
By Chris Mahandara
