Residents of Kisumu city have want security agencies in the region to crackdown on criminal gangs behind the recent spates of armed robberies and killings.
The outcry follows an upsurge in crime in the area including thev recent killing of four people during some of the reported cases in a span of two weeks.
One of the victims was a supermarket worker who was accosted by the gang around 9pm last week as he headed home from work.
The attackers use blunt objects to hit their targets on the head before robbing them of money, mobile phones and other valuables.
A nurse at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital who requested for anonymity said the number of patients receiving treatment at the facility after being attacked had reached an all-time high.
He said last week on Monday, two patients who were hit with a blunt object and another one who was stabbed in the chest succumbed while receiving treatment at the facility.
On Sunday, a middle aged woman was found murdered and dumped in a trench at Obuolo in Mamboleo spreading fear in the area.
Market Mililani Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Seth Kanga said the trend was worrying with reports of attacks during daytime increasing.
He pointed out the area around Bus Park in Kisumu Central, Nyamasaria flyover in Kisumu East as some of the hot spots.
Kanga asked security officers in the area to intensify patrols and crack down on the gangs meting terror on innocent residents.
He said the attacks, which increased during the Africities conference held in Kisumu last month, threatened to reverse the gains made in repositioning the lakeside city as a regional investment hub.
Kisumu County Commander (CPC) Alphonce Kimanthi said police officers have intensified patrols in the area to crackdown on the criminals and that so far, 13 suspects have been arrested and were helping police with investigations before being arraigned in court.
Kimanthi asked for calm while urging area residents to volunteer information to the police to bring to book the perpetrators of the crime.
Kisumu Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Alanson Hussein Alanson said the days of the criminals were numbered.
Speaking to KNA, Hussein said security officers have intensified patrols in the area to ensure that peace and security is maintained.
He added that a multi-agency team has been established to crackdown on illicit brew dens in the area where the criminals were believed to hide during the day.
“We are taking this matter very seriously and soon we are going to wipe out all these dens,” he said.
Human rights’ activist Audi Ogada said the escalating crime was worrying, accusing police officers of failing to protect lives and property.
Ogada said in Kisumu East where the bulk of cases have been reported, some police officers were colluding with criminals to mete terror on innocent residents.
In an open letter to the Nyanza Regional Police Commander Karanja Muiruri, Ogada called for an overhaul of the Kasagan and Nyamasaria Police stations to restore public confidence in the police service in the area.
“Some police officers from Kasagam and Nyamasaria are suspected to be colluding and covering up well known culprits,” he said.
By Chris Mahandara
