North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno has ordered local security agencies to conduct extensive operations to weed out emerging youthful criminal gangs in Garissa.
Over the past few months, Garissa town experienced the rise of criminal activities perpetrated by knife-wielding young boys aged between 11 and 20 years.
Insecurity incidents of fatal stabbings, robberies and daytime attacks have forced many local businesses to close early due to fear.
Speaking during the security meeting that brought together the Regional Commissioner, County Commissioner, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs and their assistants, as well as police commanders, Mr Otieno reiterated the government’s commitment to maintain law and order, noting that all criminals would be arrested to face the law.
The RC further said the security agencies had been conducting day and night patrols for the last week to weed out the gangs, noting that at least 140 suspects had been arrested and arraigned before courts of law.
“One of the security concerns we were addressing with the team here is the emergence of juvenile criminal gangs in Garissa town. It is a serious issue and we are reviewing whether the measures that we have put in place are yielding the desired results.
We organized comprehensive operations in this town and the security personnel are doing both night and day operations to apprehend suspected criminals who are roaming in town snatching mobile phones from residents, using knives to inflict pain, or others using pangas,” Otieno said.
“As we speak now, through the operation that has lasted for the last one week or so, we have been able to arrest over 140 suspects that have been arraigned before court. The operation is still on until the security situation in Garissa Town is convincingly stable,” he added.
At the same time, Otieno regretted that without enough security, the town would not realize the desired development when business people and investors close their businesses due to fear of attacks and robberies
“Security is the prerequisite for purposes of development. Without security, we will not realize development and therefore, for us to be able to talk about development we must make sure the security of the county is top-notch,” he said.
“A lot will be done so that people from this town can operate without fear of being attacked. There is no reason whatsoever why people should fear or why we should have criminal gangs marauding within the town when we have officers with crowns—a symbol of authority. The criminals will be dealt with,” he promised.
By Erick Kyalo
