Residents of Kehancha town in Kuria West sub County have threatened to form a vigilante group to enhance security in the town if the government will not act to end the rising cases of insecurity in the town.
The residents claim that they are suffering in the hands of armed robbers who terrorize the town every now and then yet the police officers are not doing enough to deal with the menace.
According to the residents, a week hardly passes before shops are broken into, people are shot dead and others maimed by armed robbers, who more often strike in broad daylight.
The business community of the town says that business in the town has been the worst hit by the insecurity. “Business in Kehancha is declining because of insecurity. People fear to invest here because they know they will be attacked anytime. This partly explains why we even don’t have a supermarket,” said Ms Rebecca Nyagonchera, a trader.
Shops, hotels, petrol stations and other businesses in the town close as early as 6pm for fear of robbers. Boda boda and taxi operators do not operate beyond 7pm.
“Kehancha town has become the most insecure town in Kuria region. Armed robbers rob and kill people here in broad daylight yet the police do not do much. A week hardly passes before the robbers wreak havoc. For how long shall we suffer?” said Mr Marwa Robi, a resident.
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The residents say they have complained severally and the situation is not addressed and now they want to take steps to protect themselves.
“This problem started long time. We have raised the concerns severally but nothing has been done so far. We are tired and we think it is high time we form a vigilante to protect ourselves because it appears the police have been defeated in dealing with this menace,” said a resident, who wished not to be named.
The most recent incident happened last week when Mr Barnabas Tegere, a taxi driver,popularly known as Casso, was shot dead by robbers while in his house in Kehancha town. The robbers made away with items of unknown value.
A fort night ago, three men were also attacked by a group of four robbers who stabbed them to death at Kehancha Chini area. The victims were walking home from a local pub when they met the attackers.
The residents further complain that those robbers who are arrested are freed on bond and come to continue with their actions. “Some of the notorious robbers are at times arrested but released on bond and hence continue with their activities,” added Mr Robi.
Kuria West OCPD Benson Kyalo said that the police officers in the area have stepped up efforts to stem the various cases of insecurity. He urged residents to work with the police in volunteering vital information concerning the suspected robbers.
“The police officers are doing a lot to stem the cases of insecurity. We have increased patrols in major towns of Kehancha and Isibania. We only urge members of the public to help us fight the criminals,” said Mr Kyalo.
He continued: “Let them come out and volunteer vital information concerning the robbers. The challenge we have had is that some of the robbers are well known by members of the public but they are not reported.”
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