The Nyeri County security committee has assured residents of their security ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Led by the County Commissioner, Pius Murugu, the security officials have said that the county security team has put in place adequate measures to protect the lives and property of residents and guests who will be visiting the county over the holidays.
“I wish to welcome all those who will be visiting the County for the Christmas holidays. They should rest assured that we have put in enough security measures to be able to safeguard their lives and their property as they travel,” said Murugu.
Speaking to KNA on the phone, Nyeri County Police Commander Stephen Rotich similarly assured residents of enhanced police patrols in their estates and shopping centres during the festivities. He said that the county will be launching a special operation dubbed “Operation Order” where Officers Commanding Police Divisions in the sub-counties have been briefed to avert any security threat that may arise. Rotich noted that since the county is anticipating an influx of visitors during the festivities, security will also be beefed up in places where people are likely to gather.
“We would like to assure those who will be travelling to other parts of the country that their homes will be safe. Police will be on patrol 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in all residential estates and major shopping centres in the county to respond to any incident that may occur,” said Rotich.
Rotich urged drivers and road users to adhere to traffic laws. He noted that traffic commanders will be conducting traffic patrols in Karatina, Othaya, Nyeri, and Naro Moru towns to ensure that movement in and out of the county remains seamless. He said that the boda boda will not be spared during the special operation, with boda boda riders being asked to ensure that they have a helmet and reflector jackets for their passengers.
“No boda boda rider will be allowed to ferry two pillion passengers. We have also banned them from ferrying iron rods used for construction because we have previously had cases where motorbikes were used to commit break-ins and robberies. We are also asking members of the public to avoid boarding unroadworthy vehicles or being ferried as excess passengers, “said the commander.
Similarly, the county commander noted that the committee will also be adjusting operating hours for bars within the county as a way of curbing excessive drunkenness. He said that the security committee had agreed to strictly enforce the infamous Mututho regulations that restrict the opening and closing hours of bars to between 5 pm and 11 pm on weekdays. Operating hours on weekends and public holidays run from 2 pm to 11 pm.
“We have agreed to adjust the operation hours for bars operating in the county. Starting this Saturday, all bars will be open from 2 pm and should be closed by 11 pm. There will be no extension of these timelines, and we are expecting full cooperation. Anyone who will be found will be arrested,” he said.
By Wangari Mwangi and Samuel Maina
