Residents of Mabera area in Kuria County want security agencies to address the insecurity concerns that have hit the region in recent times.
Lydia Chacha, a trader and resident of Mabera area said that a group of youths has been terrorising the traders and residents both at the market and in their homesteads.
The angry residents who met the security personnel at Mabera DCC headquarters said that they have suffered three incidents in the past one week where traders have been attacked and their property stolen.
The residents said that if the situation won’t improve they will seek the services of “sungusungu” an outlawed vigilante group that was banned by the government.
Chacha slammed the security at Motemorabu police post for releasing criminals back into society after being arrested.
Peter Magaiwa, from the Mabera business community urged parents not to protect their wayward children who are caught on the wrong side of the law but rather cooperate with the local administration on how best to assist them.
He noted that the community knows those robbing them, but after arrests, they are released back to the community putting them and their business at risk.
Migori County Police Commander Mark Wanjala urged the residents to cooperate with the authorities in giving out information instead of laying blame in the police.
Wanjala requested the residents to write down the names of those they suspect in order for the security apparatus to do a follow.
The county police boss also called upon the community to embrace community policing and coordinate with Nyumba Kumi administrators to help curb insecurity and boost the social economic activities of the Mabera market.
Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga challenged the area residents that by not giving out factual information make it difficult to prosecute the suspects.
Gitonga acknowledged that areas such as Motemorabu, Karamu and Mabera are the worst-hit centers where recent robberies have occurred.
The security meeting was fruitful as one suspect was nabbed while attending the same meeting.
By Geoffrey Makokha
