Illegal Gun Holders Put On Notice

Migori, Thursday, May 25, 2023

KNA by Polycarp Ochieng/George Agimba

The Migori County Security Team has put criminals on notice ordering them to surrender illegal weapons in their hands or face the full force of the law.

At the same time, the team said that it will not relent in its resolve to engage their counterparts in Tanzania to assist in apprehending criminals perpetrating attacks at the Isebania border town and seeking refuge in the neighbouring state.

Addressing the press after holding a day-long security meeting at Isebania town on Thursday, area county commissioner (CC) David Gitonga who also chairs the security committee hinted that a swoop on illicit weapons could start in the area any time from the day unless those possessing them hand them over to the authority.

The ultimatum came only a few days after chaos rocked the border town following protests by residents over the killing of a businessman in the town last week.

The angry residents who blocked the Migori-Isebania-Sirare highway with boulders and lit bonfires also expressed concern at the rising insecurity within the town and its environs that has left over six people killed and scores injured within a span of three months in the region.

According to the business community, those perpetrating crimes in the area are believed to be a hit squad transcending the Kenyans and Tanzania border.

The criminals use motorcycles to escape the attack scenes in Kenya to hide the neigbouring country immediately after making their raids in the country.

Mr. Gitonga who was accompanied by the area police commander Mark Wanjala and Migori County deputy governor Dr. Joseph Mahiri said it was high time the residents cooperated with the security agencies in the area to expose those holding the illegal weapons and using them to harass wananchi.

"But still we will use our machineries to get the weapons weather from under your beds. And you know what it means when we deploy our boys in your homes,” the administrator warned.

He said that they were also mulling to transfer to other regions those security officers who have overstayed at the border station with a view to infusing new energies in fighting crime in the area.  

The official acknowledges the efforts of the businessmen at the border town to install CCTVs in their shops and other business premises and urged the county government to collaboration with the business people to see that more of the gadgets are put in place to enhance security.

“We appreciate the efforts of the business people in town who have installed CCtvs in their shops. We will ask the county government to install more CCtvs to curb this menace of insecurity,” said Gitonga.

The county Commissioner also assured that they will collaborate with the customs office to ensure that criminals who ran towards the border after committing criminal activities are caught and reigned in a court of law. 

This is in addition to beefing up security personnel to help in guarding the porous border entry points, especially the ‘Panya routes’

Deputy governor Dr. Mahiri urged the residents to refrain from burning roads as a way of taking care of the important infrastructure which is key to economic development. 

He said security was a priority to the two tires of governments and would not let anybody compromised it. “We will do everything possible to ensure that all Kenyans enjoys their lives wherever they stay,” he assured.

Courtesy ; K. N. A