Special
squads have launched security operations in parts of Kisumu to address cases of
violent crimes in the Lakeside city.
This follows complaints of increased violent crimes targeting both pedestrians and business owners.
Nyanza
Regional Head of Police Patrick Tito said they have mapped several places to
target in the operations.
He added that they have also profiled some of the criminals behind some of the incidents, and efforts to trace them are ongoing.
“We have also recovered dozens of suspected stolen gadgets including mobile phones in the operations and we hope to crack the cases,” he said.
On
Sunday, three suspects who have been waylaying members of the public and
robbing them of valuables along Kisumu - Nairobi road near CFAO centre were arrested by
undercover officers drawn from Kasagam Police Station.
Oblivious of a sting operation to end their reign of terror, the trio who were part of a five-man gang pounced on the officers using an array of crude weapons, too late to realize they had carried the wrong weapons in a battle of guns.
Outsmarted,
three of the five obeyed orders to surrender, dropping their weapons as the
other two scooted off like terrified warthogs, police said.
Having been identified, the latter are being hotly pursued amidst calls to surrender at the Kasagam station.
One of
the suspects was injured during the arrest missing and is in hospital
undergoing treatment police said.
The area
has been experiencing a slight increase in crime amid police operations to
contain the same.
And as December festivities approach, the government has rolled out security strategies designed to guarantee safety and curb criminal activities nationwide, amidst heightened political activities.
The strategy, championed by the Ministry of
Interior, hinges on community-driven solutions and a strengthened multi-agency
coordination framework.
It brings together faith-based organizations
(FBOs), village elders, Nyumba Kumi groups, local police, and National
Government Administration Officers (NGAO) led by chiefs and their assistants.
Faith-based organizations are expected to play a
pivotal role by fostering reconciliation, healing, and forgiveness,
particularly amid increased political activities centred on ethnic groupings
and regional alliances.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo
says the plan is to ensure there is a collective responsibility in safeguarding
communities.
“We cannot overemphasize the importance of unity
in securing our neighbourhoods,” Omollo said.
“By fostering teamwork and breaking down
barriers between agencies, we ensure a seamless and effective approach to crime
prevention.”
The government has placed particular focus on
youth, identified as especially vulnerable to crime and substance abuse during
the holiday season.
He said community activities, such as football tournaments and neighbourhood engagements, are at the core of this initiative.
