State told to address insecurity

STANDARD REPORTERS

Kisumu, Kenya: Kisumu leaders have urged the national government to address rising insecurity.

The leaders led by Governor Jack Ranguma, MPs Aduma Owuor (Nyakach) and Shakeel Shabbir (Kisumu East) said rising incidences of insecurity in the region were a threat to development. “It is a must act situation, and those behind this (insecurity) must be dealt with to end it once and for all,” said Mr Ranguma at the county’s jubilee celebrations.

Aduma asked the Government to speed up investigation into the killings of his parents last month at Kabete village in Nyakach.

Kisumu County Commissioner Lonah Odero asked residents to help police to tackle insecurity.

In Kisii, County Commissioner Lydia Muriuki dismissed claims that the local community policing units were disbanded. She explained that only illegal gangs and vigilante groups were outlawed.

“Community policing is a way of life here. We only banned groups that previously operated as quasi police units complete with offices and kangaroo courts,” said Muriuki.

In Siaya, County Commissioner Joseph Kimiywi urged leaders to unite  the residents for the sake of development. “I wish to urge you leaders of the county to use the new Constitution to unite the people and develop the county in the next 50 years.”

He said the county governments all over Kenya were competing based on development and urged local leaders to follow suit.

Nyumba Kumi

In Nyamira County, residents turned up in large numbers across the five districts to celebrate Jamhuri Day as the country turned 50 years.

County Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga urged the county Public Service Board to hasten the process of recruiting County Policing Authority, which is expected to streamline community policing and the government’s Nyumba Kumi initiative.

In Homa Bay, Governor Cyprian Awiti expressed concern over the increasing water cartels in the county. Awiti said the cartels caused perennial water shortages.

—Stories by  Kevin Omollo, Lawrence Aluru, Naftal Makori, Kenan Miruka and James Omoro