Siaya County Commissioner (CC), Julius Otieno, has warned criminal gangs operating in the region to take the government’s amnesty and surrender or face the law.
Otieno, who was addressing the public at Kenya Medical Training College grounds in Siaya town during this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, said that the county had no space for criminal activities, and those who failed to heed the call must be ready to face the law, and that the government is not relenting on reversing the vice.
The county commissioner said that as part of efforts to beef up security in the Hawinga area of west Alego that recently witnessed insecurity, the county security committee had recommended the construction of a police post in the area.
“There were some challenges at Hawinga where some terrorists tried to invade our corner,” said the commissioner, adding that through close collaboration between the public and security agencies, some of the terrorists were neutralised while others were arrested.
Otieno called for continued support for the security officers through the provision of information that would lead to the arrest of criminals.
The county commissioner assured Siaya residents that the new security team was vigilant and had managed to reduce cases of insecurity in the area.
Earlier, several local leaders called on the security officials to upscale their game and curb the rising insecurity challenges.
Governor James Orengo, in a speech read on his behalf by the county executive committee member for governance, Agunda Ochanda, lamented that there was a spike in cases of theft, muggings, and killings, especially around Siaya town and its environs.
Orengo called on the security team to work around the clock to reverse the trend.
The occasion was also attended by Former Government Spokesman, Colonel (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, Siaya Deputy County Commissioner, Robert Ng’etich and several national and county government officials.
By Philip Onyango
