Eastern Regional Coordinator Mr. Paul Rotich has assured wananchi of adequate security as they go about their businesses over the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Mr. Rotich said that all security loopholes in the counties have been addressed, and organized operations will be ongoing in all parts of the region to ensure there are no ugly incidents over the holiday.
He said that the government had recalled all the security officers who were on leave and those who had off-duty breaks to deal with security during the festivities.
Mr. Rotich said the government was dealing with the cattle rustling in the region and urged the herdsmen who withheld illegal firearms to surrender them before they were confronted by the law enforcers.
He said livestock theft along the Meru and Isiolo borders must stop and asked the elders to collaborate with the government security personnel so as to bring the vice to an end, pointing out that the criminals are well known to the members of the community.
He said the police officers will be expected to not only recover stolen livestock but also have to produce the suspected criminals for the crime with their firearms as well.
Mr. Rotich who spoke to KNA, said that both the county and regional security teams would be proactive, and two vehicles would be on standby to ensure swift responses to any reported incident.
He urged chiefs, their assistants, and Nyumba Kumi elders to report all incidents to security officers, involve the National Police Reserves (NPRs) in recovering animals that have been brought to their localities after raids, and also work as a team in tracking down the stolen animals’ footprints.
The regional boss directed police station commanders and chiefs to be vigilant and urged them to arrest elders and local leaders who sided with and protected crime suspects in their areas of jurisdiction.
By Abduba Mamo
