Kisumu leaders have escalated their response to rising insecurity, declaring a coordinated crackdown on goonism and targeted attacks on businesses.
The resolve was reached during a high-level joint leadership and security consultative forum bringing together the County Executive, Members of Parliament, Members of the County Assembly and the County Security committee.
In a joint communiqué read by Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, who chaired the meeting, the leaders said the recent incidents marked a worrying trend of organised lawlessness that must be contained before it takes root.
They condemned recent attacks on private investments, including incidents at Fairways Hotel and Java House West End Mall, terming them acts of hooliganism with far-reaching economic consequences.
They warned that the violence, largely attributed to criminal gangs operating under the guise of political mobilisation, was not only a threat to businesses but also a direct attack on the livelihoods of residents and the county’s development agenda.
Kisumu, positioned as a gateway to the Lake Region Economic Bloc and an emerging destination for regional and international events, they said, risks losing investor confidence if the situation is not urgently addressed.
“These acts of hooliganism are not only criminal but a direct assault on the livelihoods of our people,” the communiqué stated, adding that the county would not allow a few individuals to tarnish its image as a safe and welcoming city.
At the same time, the leaders appealed to the youth to resist being incited to involve themselves in criminal activities and instead take advantage of expanding economic opportunities within the county.
They emphasised that young people were often exploited by political actors and criminal networks, warning that involvement in goonism would only undermine their future prospects.
The leaders reiterated their commitment to safeguarding Kisumu’s status as a premier investment destination, assuring both local and foreign investors of their security.
“We are united in our resolve to purge criminal elements from our society and protect the gains we have made,” the communiqué read in part.
Governor Nyong’o called for immediate intervention by the National Government, stressing that while the county plays a supportive role, security remains primarily a national function.
He urged the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to roll out intelligence-led operations to identify, isolate and dismantle criminal networks behind the attacks, and ensure swift and impartial prosecution of those responsible.
“We must act decisively to dismantle these gangs and restore public confidence. No one should imagine they are above the law,” he said.
The Governor reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to fully cooperate with security agencies, noting that restoring stability requires a unified approach by all levels of leadership.
Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron said the meeting had resolved to adopt a multi-agency and community-driven approach to address the insecurity, including strengthening grassroots surveillance through community policing structures.
“As leaders, we have come together to assess the situation and agree on a common course of action. This is a shared responsibility that requires coordination between government, security agencies and the public,” he said.
Oron warned that failure to act could undermine the gains Kisumu has made in positioning itself as a commercial and transport hub serving neighbouring counties and the wider East African region.
“We cannot allow insecurity and goonism to roll back the progress achieved over the years. We must contain this situation before it escalates further,” he added.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo said security agencies had already intensified operations across identified hotspots, targeting criminal gangs linked to the recent disturbances.
He warned that authorities would not tolerate extortion, intimidation or any form of organised criminal activity, adding that firm action would be taken regardless of political or social affiliations.
“Security is not negotiable. There is no justification for lawlessness, whether driven by economic hardships or political interests,” he said.
The county commissioner assured residents and the business community that adequate measures had been put in place to restore calm and prevent further incidents, including enhanced patrols and intelligence gathering.
By Faith Lumumba and Dorothy Pamella
