Security agents in Nyandarua County have intensified patrols ahead of the festivities to cub cases of insecurities in the region.
County commissioner Amos Mariba, while regretting that stock theft and theft of farm produce were on the rise this festive season urged the residents to arrest and hand over the perpetrators for prosecution.
He directed that all security agents should not proceed on leave, but be redeployed appropriately to fight the crimes that were causing the residents sleepless nights.
“The fines and jail terms for people found stealing stock, though tough seem not to be working to deter these thieves. We have intensified patrols in all villages to ensure private property is respected and all are safe,” added Mariba.
The county commissioner urged pastoralist communities who had sought grazing land in the county to return to their counties of origin, regretting that some had invaded private farms unauthorized.
Mariba cautioned unlicensed bar owners operating in the county that they will be prosecuted and outlets closed.
“Chiefs risk sacking if they abate operation of bars that are unlicensed. The licensing is done once we ensure that all the requirements are adhered to and all drinks on sale are standardized and approved by the law.
“Some sub county officials and administrators have been allowing bars to operate without licenses and we also put them on notice. They have also been licensing throughout the year against the law,” he said, warning the administrators that they will be subjected to scrutiny by the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission.
He regretted that some of the officers doing the licensing, also owned outlets causing conflicts of interest that was against the law.
He warned the residents against seeking cheap liquor in unlicensed outlets that there were fake drinks on sale, cautioning that the ‘ready to drink vodka’ was actually poison on sale.
Governor Moses Badilisha while regretting that even his own brother had lost his livestock to thieves, noted that the security situation in the county was wanting and called on the residents to report any such incidences.
By Anne Sabuni
