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Residents of Tuwan and Matisi slums in the outskirts of Kitale town have submitted to authorities the names of 27 individuals they suspect are behind a recent spate of robberies.
Among those named during a security meeting on Tuesday are six students from a local secondary school, raising concerns about the involvement of minors in criminal activities.
According to locals, the situation has been exacerbated by a gang of young boys who, under the guise of being bodaboda operators, have allegedly been terrorizing the community, especially at night.
Residents have linked the increase in crime to rampant drug abuse among the youth, particularly in the Matisi and Mitume areas. Nyumba Kumi leaders and village elders have reported that the widespread use of illegal substances, such as bhang, has fueled the crime wave.
“There is a serious disconnect between chiefs and police officers in our area because chiefs arrest criminals, but police officers have been the weak link, assisting the suspects in evading justice,” lamented Samuel Mwaura, a local resident.
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Mwaura’s sentiments reflect the growing frustration among community members who feel that law enforcement has been compromised.
Francis Were, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Tuwan, placed the blame on irresponsible parenting and the exploitation of young people by political figures.
“Some of these youths are being used by politicians to cause havoc, even in public forums. We want action taken against such leaders,” asserted Were
Were called for a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of local politicians in the wave of crime.
During the security meeting, County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi issued a stern ultimatum to the 27 suspects named by the residents, asking them to surrender to the police.
“We are giving them an opportunity to surrender to the police before we take more drastic measures,” Oyagi warned.
Oyagi said that the government is committed to restoring order in the affected areas, adding that those involved in criminal activities would face severe consequences.
“The involvement of students in these crimes is a serious security matter that brings up a debate on the role of parenting and education in shaping the youth,” said Oyagi.
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Oyagi noted that the accusations against political leaders have added a new dimension to the crisis, suggesting that the problem is not just a matter of law enforcement but also of political manipulation.
The high-level security meeting also highlighted the need for community involvement in tackling the crime problem.
Nyumba Kumi leaders have been called upon to work more closely with law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend criminals. However, the effectiveness of this collaboration remains a concern, given the allegations of police complicity in the drug trade.
Collins Wafula, a resident, expressed the need for police to patrol the area to deter criminal activities.
“We need more patrols and a visible police presence to make us feel safe again. The community waits to see how the situation will unfold; there is a palpable sense of urgency,” said Wafula during the meeting.
Wafula added that the submission of the suspects’ names to the authorities marks a critical step in the fight against crime in Kitale’s suburbs.
