Clamp down on vicious criminal gangs, EALA lawmaker Dekow urges police

Garissa leaders have asked the police to tackle runaway insecurity.

EALA MP Falhada Dekow Iman said residents cannot go about their daily business for fear of either being attacked or robbed by criminals.

Speaking in Garissa town, she urged the relevant authorities to act promptly and restore security.

On Thursday night, thieves on a motorcycle stole Sh1.3 million from an M-Pesa shop in the Dobale, Bula Medina.

A day earlier a person was stabbed to death by unknown people in the outskirts of Garissa town after he refused to surrender his phone.

Cases of women being robbed in the wee hours while going to the market and while going back home have also been on the rise.

The situation has led to panic among residents who now close their businesses early.

“It is with a heavy heart that I address the alarming surge of insecurity in Garissa town. The recent wave of crime involving knife-wielding gangs and in some instances guns terrorizing our community is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately,” she said.

Our homes, streets, and businesses should be places of safety and peace, not fear and danger. It is the fundamental right of every resident to feel secure in their environment, and this current situation gravely undermines that right,” she added.

The former nominated Senator called on local authorities, law enforcement agencies and community leaders to act swiftly and decisively in addressing the menace.

He said increased patrols, community engagement and stringent measures against the perpetrators will arrest the situation.

She asked residents to report suspicious activities, look after each other, and remain vigilant.

“Let us say that enough is enough. We demand action. We deserve peace. There are no two ways about it. It cannot be that in this day and age, we have individuals who want to kill and terrorize individuals who are going about their business,” she said.

On Friday last week, Galbet Ward MCA Abubakar Khalif wrote to the security commanders, calling for increased security following the upsurge in crime in the ward.

“Criminal gangs armed with crude weapons, among them swords and now guns, are targeting business premises and individuals by snatching phones in several areas in the outskirts of Garissa town,” read in part the letter.

Addressing the press in his office last week Thursday, Garissa County Police Commander John Samburumo said a multiagency police team visited the scene and retrieved the CCTV footage that they will analyse to identify the criminals.

“We secured the CCTV footage that our officers are analysing to identify the two criminal gangs that entered the M-Pesa shop. I can assure you that we shall surely catch up with them soon,” Samburumo said.

“I would like to appeal to members of the public to volunteer information on suspected criminals. These criminals live within ourselves, and somehow they are known. We shall treat any information with the utmost confidentiality,” he added.

Samburumo said they will continue to beef up security, adding that they were working round the clock to guarantee their safety and that of their businesses.

So far no one has been arrested in connection to the incidents.