The Siaya County commissioner (CC), Michael Tialal has blamed the rising crime in the region on lack of synergy between national administrators and the police.
Tialal, who was addressing chiefs, their assistants, officers commanding stations and other top security officials from the county on Wednesday, lamented that unresolved robbery and livestock theft cases were on the rise in the county despite the presence of security officers and chiefs at the grassroots.
He told the meeting, which was held at the Holy Cross Catholic Church hall in the outskirts of Siaya town, that some administrators and policemen were a let down to the service as they isolate themselves.
“Security officers must recognize chiefs and vice versa if we expect to succeed in making the county a peaceful place where the public can go about their businesses without worry.
The CC said that various security and administrative organs of the government were not competing against each other, but are meant to complement each other in service delivery.
Tialal told chiefs, their assistants and the commanders of various police units in the grassroots to join hands and ensure that the increasing incidents of robberies, livestock thefts and sale and consumption of illicit liquor was dealt with.
“It is unfortunate that our schools have been losing digital learning materials due to break-ins but nobody has been arrested,” he said, adding that this was a pointer that relevant agencies are not working together to tackle crime.
He called on security agents and the public at large to be wary of the emerging crime in the area such as child kidnapping for ransom that though not rampant, had been reported in parts of Bondo sub County.
The occasion was also addressed by County Police Commander, Francis Kooli who said apathy will not be entertained among security agents.
Kooli said that each police officer was expected to work closely with the administrative officers and the public to ensure positive results in their respective mandates of ensuring security and tranquil environment.
The meeting was also attended by top county security bosses, among them county criminals investigations officer, Barngetuny Cheruiyot, county prisons commander, Francis Opondo and all deputy county commissioners.
By Philip Onyango
