Busia residents have been urged to abide by the laws of the country and stop bending the Constitution to suit their whims and individual interests.
Speaking during the inauguration of Olepito Sub Location Assistant Chief, Reuben Ekeya, the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Teso South Sub-county, John Kichwen, noted with concern that a section of the residents had resorted to taking the law into their own hands by torching vehicles involved in road accidents along Busia-Kisumu road.
“In the past two weeks, three vehicles have been burnt down in this county. I want to condemn those actions and warn the residents involved that this action is against the law. During an accident, we are supposed to help to save lives, not burn the vehicle,” he said.
Kichwen explained that burning of vehicles and killing of criminal suspects simply destroyed evidence that could have been produced in a court of law for conviction and justice executed.
“When you burn the vehicle, you have destroyed the evidence and as a result, justice will be difficult to serve to the affected persons. We have a crime suspect who died after being beaten by a mob,” he said.
The DCC advised the residents to report criminal suspects to the police who are mandated to arrest them and take the suspects to court.
Kichwen at the same time encouraged the local residents to engage in legal business to avoid being used by other people to transport goods from the neighbouring country of Uganda without paying tax.
“Let us engage in genuine business. The illegal business that people are engaging in is destroying the lives of our people. You are sneaking in illegal alcohol that is killing our people. We need development and that will only come if we pay taxes. If you bring goods into the country without paying taxes, you are denying our people development and other services,” he said.
Teso South Sub-county Police Commander, Francis Gachogi, urged the resident to work with the security agencies by providing information that would help in fighting the criminals.
“I don’t know any suspects in this area but for you residents, you know all of them. I want us to partner so that we make sure there is peace in our area. You know who is doing the bhang and chang’aa business, that’s why I want you to inform us so that we can handle the cases,” he said.
Gachogi lauded a section of the local youth who left criminal life and are now engaging in agriculture, warning the remaining criminal suspects that they will soon be arrested.
“I want to thank our youth who were previously in crime but have changed and are now in the business of brick making and sugarcane farming. For the few remaining criminal elements, we are going to get hold of you,” he said.
Within the past two weeks, a public service vehicle was burned down at Matayos township after an accident that left one person dead, while another incident happened at Busia Weighbridge where a police vehicle that had responded to an accident involving a bodaboda operator and a bus was torched by the members of the public. The latest incident happened last week on Monday at Mundika, where a car carrying contraband goods was set on fire by the residents after killing three people.
By Rodgers Omondi
