Makueni County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed has assured residents that justice will be done for the Makueni-based lawyer who was attacked and killed by a policewoman a week ago in Wote town.
Mohammed condemned the attack in which Onesmus Masaku was allegedly attacked by police constable Nancy Njeri with a machete in his house last Monday.
‘‘This was a heinous act and there will be no selective application of the law,” said the county commissioner during the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Unoa grounds Tuesday.
He appealed for calm saying that the culprit had been remanded and will be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.
The county commissioner’s assurance comes against a backdrop of rising tension in Wote town after the lawyer succumbed to his injuries while undergoing specialized treatment at Kenya National Hospital.
The lawyer had his both hands almost severed off when the police constable who is alleged to be his ex-lover attacked him under unclear circumstances.
The county commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment in providing security to the residents and their property and called on the public to volunteer information that would help the police in apprehending criminals in the area.
“We thank members of the public for giving us vital information that led to the arrest of the main suspect who shot a businessman in Kathonzweni town a month ago,” he said.
On illicit brews, the administrator put on notice the culprits saying that the government will conduct continuous crackdowns to eradicate the menace.
He directed Officers Commanding Stations, chiefs and their assistants to collaborate and eliminate illicit brew in their areas of jurisdiction.
“So far we have impounded 2,050 litres of kaluvu, 250 roles of bhang, while 27 people were arrested over second generation alcoholic drinks,” he said.
Mohammed disclosed that the national government will spend Sh318 million to put up pedestrian walkways along the Wote-Makindu road.
He said the pathways which are currently under construction, will give ample space for pedestrians for walking and minimize on road accidents.
The county commissioner warned businesses that have put structures on the road reserve, that the same will be demolished to pave way for the path walks.
“We have already earmarked the illegal structures and are appealing to the owners to bring them down before demolition starts,” he said.
Speaking at the same function, the county executive for Devolution and Public Service Joshua Wambua revealed that the county government will distribute free seeds to 500 farmers in every ward in the county.
Wambua who spoke on behalf of the area governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana during the celebrations said the distribution of the seed will enable farmers have something to plant during the October-December short rains.
On his part, Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu called on residents to embrace the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) saying it had a lot of benefits for the common man. The same sentiments were echoed by the Makueni Member of Parliament (MP) Daniel Maanzo.
During the celebrations four people were feted for their outstanding service to the nation. Bosco Mulwa, a renowned Kamba artist was feted for his immense contribution to the music industry while Halima Ramadhan Ndeve was feted for her contribution to the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Others feted were David Muswii, a distinguished librarian whose 31 years’ dedication of civil service helped put up more than 40 public libraries across the country. Muswii who retired in 2018 also started the Librarian Pension Scheme.
Francis Musyoki Kamba was feted for representing the country in athletics at the international arena. Kamba won gold in 4 by 400 metres relay in the all Africa Games in Nigeria in1973, a silver medal in the same year in 400 metres in Finland for the World games and also a gold medal in New Zealand Commonwealth Games in 1974.
By Patrick Nyakundi/Roselyne Kavoo
