The government has beefed up security across the Nyanza region ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner (RC) Flora Mworoa said all police officers on leave have reported back on duty following a directive by Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Raymond Omollo and have been strategically deployed to maintain law and order during the holidays.
A multi-agency team, she said, has been established to coordinate all security operations in the area with focus on mapped hot spots to ensure that area residents enjoy the holidays peacefully.
The team, she said, will respond to all emergencies raised through toll free numbers 999 and 0203529027 which are operational 24 hours.
“We have deployed adequate security officers who will work throughout the holiday season to ensure that the Christmas and New Year festivities run smoothly,” she said.
She added that the officers have been directed to work in collaboration with the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) to conduct regular checks along the major roads in the region and enforce traffic regulation to curb accidents.
“This is the period where we see vehicles that have been grounded for a long time back on the road. That is why our officers will conduct regular checks to ensure that our roads are safe during the festive season,” she said.
Drunk driving, often cited as a major contributor to road accidents during the festive season, she said, is a focal point of the security strategy with motorists advised to adhere strictly to traffic rules, with violators facing swift legal action.
Addressing the media in his office, the RC said patrols and surveillance has been scaled up in the region to ensure that any criminal activity is nipped in the bud.
Security agencies at the borders of Kenya-Uganda and Kenya-Tanzania, she added were on high alert to monitor the movement of people in and out of the country to ensure there is no room for criminals.
Cases of cattle rustling along the borders of Kisumu and Kericho counties, she added threatened to disrupt the prevailing peace in the area adding that security officers have been directed to enhance patrols and bring to book all those involved in the vice.
The security teams in the area, she added have also turned their focus on illicit brews which fuel insecurity during the festive season adding that anybody found trading in the banned substances will face the full force of the law.
She urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report to the police any activities likely to disrupt the prevailing peace and security in the area.
By Chris Mahandara and Joseph Ouma
