Residents of Narok County have been assured security during this festival season when many people will be travelling for festivities.
Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde said though many government departments and agencies will be closing for the long Christmas holiday and New Year celebrations, the security team will not go on holiday.
“My team and I will remain behind to ensure that the county is safe. We will be there to handle any insecurity issue or any other matter that may arise during the festival season,” he said.
The county commissioner said this when he addressed the County Service Delivery Committee meeting attended by all heads of departments and the Government Delivery Unit representative John Karanja.
Masinde assured both local and foreign visitors who will be going for holiday at the Maasai Mara Game reserve that security was tight as many officers from the National Police Reservist have been employed to man the game reserve.
He called on motorists to be vigilant while plying along the smooth roads to avoid causing accidents, reiterating that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) will keep watch to ensure drivers adhere to traffic regulations.
At the same time, the county commissioner warned perpetrators of Gender Based Violence (GBV) of dire consequences as they will be arrested and prosecuted in court of law.
Masinde warned those who force their girls to undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages that they will not escape arrest.
“I have instructed my chiefs and their assistants to be very keen during this long holiday. Any case of FGM and early marriage will be taken very seriously,” he said.
He observed that though teenage pregnancy in the county had dropped from 40 per cent to 26 per cent, a lot had to be done to bring it down to below the national average of 18 per cent.
The county security chair called on parents to engage their children in productive business during this holiday so that they are not tempted to indulge in criminal activities that will make their lives desperate.
By Ann Salaton
