Kisii County governorship hopefuls Ezekiel Machogu and Dr Enock Ondari have condemned the Friday night attacks on traders and motorists in the Getembe-Nubia area, warning that rising goonism could undermine investor confidence and the county’s economic prospects.
The two leaders called for investigations into the incidents and demanded that individuals found responsible for assaulting and harassing residents be held accountable.
Their remarks came a day after traders in Getembe reportedly came under attack from groups of men accused of assaulting them and harassing motorists during a night operation.
The incidents have renewed scrutiny of the activities of the so-called “Green Army”, a group associated with enforcement activities in Kisii and which critics have accused of using excessive force against traders and residents.
Machogu said residents and small-scale traders should not be subjected to violence and intimidation in the name of enforcing county regulations.
“Our people deserve better. What happened last night at the Getembe-Nubia area must be called out. We cannot remain silent when our people are harassed, intimidated and subjected to violence in the name of enforcement,” Machogu said.
The former Cabinet Secretary condemned reports that traders were beaten with rungus and motorists harassed, saying such conduct should not be allowed to become normal in Kisii.
“Kisii deserves better leadership. Our people deserve dignity, respect and justice. We cannot have people being attacked at night, beaten with rungus, and motorists being harassed. This is unacceptable and must not be normalised,” he said.
Machogu said authorities should pursue lawful and humane measures when dealing with traders operating outside designated areas.
He called for proper notices, public participation, engagement with affected traders and the provision of alternative trading spaces where necessary.
“If traders are operating in areas where they are not supposed to, there is a lawful and humane way of enforcing compliance. That’s part of the functions of a municipal court. Give proper notices, engage the people through public participation, provide alternatives where necessary, and follow due process. Violence and intimidation are never the answer,” he said.
Machogu also demanded investigations into the Getembe incidents, saying those found culpable should face the law.
“Those responsible for the assault and harassment must be held accountable in accordance with the law,” he said.
The confrontation has intensified political and public scrutiny of enforcement operations in Kisii, amid growing calls for the county administration to ensure that efforts to regulate businesses do not violate the rights or threaten the safety of residents.
Ondari warned separately that increasing cases of attacks and intimidation by suspected goons risk driving away investors and weakening Kisii’s economic prospects.
The governorship hopeful said the county could not attract meaningful investment if business people, traders and motorists lived in fear of being attacked, harassed or having their property destroyed.
He said investors require a secure, stable and predictable environment before committing their money.
“Investors will not come to a place where they fear for their lives and property. Nobody will invest millions of shillings in an environment where goons can emerge at night, attack people and intimidate businesses,” Ondari said in a statement.
Kisii, he said, has enormous economic potential, but insecurity and political violence could reverse gains made in the county.
“Businesses create jobs, pay taxes and support families. When investors begin feeling unsafe, they will simply take their money elsewhere,” Ondari said.
The leaders’ statements come amid mounting demands from traders and residents for the county government and security agencies to intervene and establish who was behind the Getembe attacks.
Traders have called for an end to violent enforcement methods, saying disputes over trading spaces and county regulations should be resolved through lawful procedures rather than intimidation or physical force.
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