Nakuru County Commissioner, Dr Lyford Kibaara, has put on notice cattle rustlers in the area.
Dr Kibaara noted that livestock theft was rampant in Subukia Sub-county and warned that days are numbered for those involved would soon face the law.
“Let them be warned that our law enforcers will catch-up with them, and I can tell them that it will not be a pleasant experience for them,” Dr Kibaara said, during 62nd Jamhuri Day celebrations held at Kamemo Comprehensive School, Kabazi Ward in Subukia Sub-county.
He urged members of the public to be vigilant, especially when buying meat, to avoid consuming uninspected products, adding that livestock thieves were targeting animals for slaughter or for sale to local butchers.
Dr Kibaara disclosed that the government has intensified the crackdown on suspected thieves in the County, following public outcry over the severity of losses encountered.
The Administrator vowed to ensure the culprits are dealt with, as per the law and to have the crime stamped-out once and for all in the County.
He noted that the crime has mutated from stealing livestock to slaughtering the animals in the pens and carrying the steak in the dead of the night.
He, however, urged locals not to take the law into their hands and resort to mob justice to register their frustrations when they catch suspected criminals.
“No one should take the law into their own hands; they should be taken through a court process, and in the process of interrogation, it helps appreciate the depth and network of cattle rustlers,” he affirmed.
CC stated that though a heavy presence of security officers has been deployed throughout the County during this year’s festive season as the country prepares to mark Christmas and New Year, Kenyans should be vigilant and be on the lookout for “suspicious persons and activities” and report them to the police.
He assured residents that security personnel will be on standby round the clock during the festivities, to receive information from the public.
The County Commissioner further warned against criminals who may take advantage of the festivities, to commit various crimes, including muggings and burglaries.
Even though they are doing their best, Dr Kibaara said members of the public can play a role in combating criminal activities by reporting all cases to allow commanders to do mapping of hot spots and deploy reinforcement.
He read the Riot Act to law enforcement officers and local administrators who may be culpable in the sale of illicit brew as well as drugs and substance abuse in their jurisdiction.
Dr Kibaara said the use of alcoholic and narcotic substances, has contributed to the rise of many forms of crime in the society.
He warned that each administrator right from the Deputy County commissioner, Assistant County Commissioner to the chiefs and their assistants, will be held personally responsible for any illicit brews and drug and substance cases reported in their jurisdiction.
Dr Kibaara warned that police officers and administrators involved in the illicit brew as well as drug rackets, will be severely dealt with. He called on law enforcers to stick to professional ethics or quit.
“The concerns have been brought to my attention and they amount to a serious breach of professional ethics that should never be tolerated. We are investigating and will take necessary action,” he said.
“I am taking-up the matter personally and any officer found culpable will be firmly dealt with.”
The County Commissioner called on residents to report cases of rogue officers and administrators collecting bribes from the drugs and brewing dens.
“They should not suffer in silence. Let them report any wrongdoings by rogue police officers and administrators for immediate action. It is not only illegal to peddle illicit brews, but our officers should not use such avenues to mint money from criminals,” he noted.
The administrator further appealed to members of the public to volunteer information on illicit brew dealers and drug dealers to local chiefs, police stations and local leaders to enable police to take stern action against them.
Dr Kibaara warned bar owners to adhere to the laid down guidelines, adding that those found stocking second generation brews will be subjected to criminal prosecution.
“We have put the administrators on notice. Those who will continue overseeing the crime in their jurisdiction will be held accountable,” said the County Commissioner, adding that the courts are now imposing heavy penalties on those found guilty of the crimes.
He advised government officers sabotaging war against illicit alcohol or involved in the illegal business, to mend their ways before the law catches-up with them.
“We will not allow public officers collaborating with the illicit alcohol brewers to benefit from the killer industry. We will put on our radar law enforcement agents and administrators who collect ‘protection fees’ from the brewers and in return leak information about planned raids to the culprits”, Dr Kibaara said.
“We cannot have administrators tolerating illicit brews, but we shall equally support and recognize those going an extra mile to rid their areas of illicit alcohol by promoting them,” he said.
He directed Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs to hold public barazas at least twice a month to articulate government policies, offer sensitization on various issues and collect feedback from citizens.
Such forums, the administrator noted, should also be used to educate the youth against joining criminal gangs and engaging in illicit activities.
Governor Susan Kihika, issued a stern warning to County staff against the reckless licensing and operation of bars.
These efforts, noted Governor Kihika, are part of a broader, ongoing push at both national and county levels, to enforce existing alcohol control laws, curb the sale of illicit brews, and address social problems associated with irresponsible drinking.
She affirmed that all bars in the devolved unit were being monitored by relevant authorities, to address the rampant sale of second-generation alcohol and combat the issue of alcoholism, which she called a “ticking time bomb”.
The Governor further indicated that her Administration is targeting a bigger share of revenue from Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), a lucrative part of the tourism mix across the globe.
The MICE sector is an important contributor to the Kenyan economy. According to the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), the global MICE market, which involves travel for business-oriented purposes is valued at USD 877 billion and is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 7.5 percent from 2024 to 2030. MICE is a niche of the travel and tourism industry.
Ms. Kihika explained that the goal of MICE is to provide an enhanced, customized hospitality setting that brings together top professionals from various industries.
She noted that the market is benefiting from an increase in the number of companies worldwide that offer MICE services.
“Nakuru is leveraging its distinctive attributes to maintain a substantial portion of the market. The County tops the list when it comes to MICE economy, hence the workshops and capacity building to augment the growth of the sector.”
Stated the Governor.
Ms Kihika said the County was engaging various State Agencies, event organizers and institutions to canvass for more international conferences, to be held in Nakuru.
She described conference tourism, as a key tourism product that has not been properly exploited despite the existence of many prehistoric sites, nature trails and wildlife attractions in the county.
The Governor voiced the County government’s commitment to tap into conference tourism, which she said, was a relatively new concept in the industry and revolves around service provision to business travelers attending seminars, workshops, conferences and conventions.
“At the moment, conference tourism is the largest and fastest growing segment of the modern tourism sector and has a higher financial impact because conference travelers spend more than leisure, with their expenses being paid for by the organizations they represent,” added the Governor.
While terming Naivasha Sub-county as a conferencing hub which is the third largest in Kenya after Nairobi and Mombasa in terms of bed capacity, Ms. Kihika called on tourism industry players, including the government, to collaborate and realize the potential of domestic tourism, adding that as the industry grows, more local businesses would come-up, further unlocking more employment opportunities.
She promised to intensify campaigns with a view to educating and sensitizing the residents on available local destinations and the importance of tourism in a society, adding that the success of tourism as a sector depended more on the goodwill of the locals.
Ms. Kihika said the Devolved Unit was working with other stakeholders, including Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), in unlocking domestic tourism potential in the region’s cultural heritage, places of natural beauty, eco-tourism and places of historical importance.
The Governor said the County is blessed with many destinations that most tourists can visit, including little known physical features such as waterfalls, craters, gorges and lakes, prehistoric sites, museums and wild animals, among others.
She stated that most local and foreign tourists, only know of the generic attractions such as the Lake Nakuru National Park and Hells Gate.
This she noted has not only put a strain on the facilities and capacity, but has also left the tourism industry largely dependent on a few attractions.
“We have also been looking to grow domestic tourism awareness drives, to get the residents excited about the various destinations that their country has to offer. There are many Kenyans who are interested in travel, but lack sufficient information,” she continued.
At the same time the Governor urged Kenyans to uphold constitutional values, shun violence, and champion national cohesion.
Ms. Kihika called for toning down of “incitement rhetoric,” urging a shift towards more constructive and respectful dialogue, particularly in the context of ongoing social and political divisions.
This call, she said emphasizes the need to avoid expressions that could cause hatred, violence, or prejudice, and instead, promote understanding, tolerance, peace and reconciliation.
“We are encouraging a move away from confrontational rhetoric towards a more open and respectful exchange of ideas, even among those with differing viewpoints. This call is rooted in the belief that a society where people feel safe, respected, and included is essential for the common good,” stated the Governor.
She emphasized Kenyans’ role in fostering reconciliation and called for open engagement between citizens and leaders.
“Both the government and those with divergent views should embrace dialogue. Let us all preach peace and reconciliation, as we are one family called Kenya regardless of our political and ethnic inclinations,” stated the Governor.
She stressed the importance of respecting the 2010 Constitution and called on youth to engage peacefully and constructively.
By Jane Ngugi and Dennis Rasto
