A multi-agency operation has been mounted at Sondu along the Kisumu-Kericho border to nab key cattle rustling suspects.
This follows the killing of a middle aged man at Ngege area in Nyakach Sub-County, after some suspected cattle rustlers raided his home.
The man was found dead in his house with an arrow lodged on the right side of his head and another one in the stomach.
According to police reports, the deceased also sustained serious panga cuts on the head and both hands.
The attackers, who did not steal any livestock from the home are believed to have targeted the deceased following his efforts to tame cattle rustling along the volatile border.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo said one of the suspects dropped his mobile phone at the scene, which the police are using to close in on him.
“Our officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are combing through the phone and will soon close in on the key suspects as the crackdown on this vice continues,” he said.
Speaking during Jamhuri Day celebrations in Kisumu, the County Commissioner said no effort will be spared, until all the suspects are nabbed and charged with murder.
Consequently, a contingent of police officers has been deployed along volatile border and will deal ruthlessly, with any person suspected to be involved in cattle rustling to ensure that peace and security prevails.
The same security operation, will also be extended to other parts of the county to ensure that security is heightened during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Equally, the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) have been given firm instructions to scale up the crackdown on illicit brews to curb rising cases of crime in the area.
All bars located within 300 meters from learning institutions, residential areas and places of worship shall be closed to protect families and children during the festive season.
“If you own a bar that is within 300 meters in the three areas I have mentioned please close it before we get to you,” he said.
The crackdown, Leparmorijo maintained, shall be carried out in a fair manner, adding that the question of who came first between the bars and the institutions shall not feature.
“What we are implementing is the law. It is in the constitution, the children’s act, education act and many other statutes. So let us obey the law,” he said.
By Chris Mahandara
