Residents of Vihiga County have been assured of their security during this festive season.
Speaking during the Sub-County Security and Peace multi-agency committee meeting on Thursday at the DIDC hall, the area Assistant County Commissioner, Felix Maiyo called on all stakeholders to ensure security is heightened during the season.
Maiyo urged business owners to remain alert and engage energetic watchmen to guard their business premises in addition to regular patrols by security agencies.
“It is regrettable that some business owners employ very old men, some even 80 years old. These ones cannot guard the premises well and they can even be easy targets of attack by thugs because they are not capable of responding quickly or even defending themselves,” said Maiya.
The administrator further called on business people to ensure security lights and CCTV cameras are installed on their premises saying this will deter thieves since most of them prefer operating in darkness where they cannot be identified or seen.
He asked all church leaders who will be holding overnight prayer meetings to get permits from their respective OCSs.
Maiyo also called for timely sharing of information and communication between the security team, multi-agency stakeholders and the community saying that by relaying information on time many insecurity incidents can be thwarted.
Area police commander Wilson Ocharo called on village elders, community policing and Nyumba kumi officials to be more vigilant and report incidents on time to enhance timely response by security agencies.
He urged people who will be attending Maragoli cultural festival to keep peace and ensure no breach of security occurs failure to which the law shall take course.
By Maureen Imbayi
