Security personnel in Nakuru have turned the spotlight on dangerous gangs that have been terrorizing residents ahead of the 2019 Housing and Population Census that kicks off on the night of 24th August.
County Commissioner Erastus Mbui Mwenda said a combined contingent of 1,300 security officers have been deployed in all residential areas to secure all the residents and census staff and crack down on elements out to take advantage of the exercise to commit criminal activities.
On Tuesday, Nakuru East Sub-County Police Commander Ellena Wairimu Kabukuru led a contingent of police officers in a raid of hideouts of criminal gangs in Kanyoni, Bondeni, Kivumbini and Flamingo estates and arrested one of its key leaders.
“We are ahead of all criminal groupings that may be keen to exploit the timing of the census exercise to either rob, maim or kill innocent Kenyans. Our officers have mapped out all danger spots and have received very crucial intelligence from members of the public,” assured Mbui.
The arrest comes barely a week after a Tokalev pistol with eight rounds of ammunition and a Beretta pistol were recovered from a suspect in Nakuru’s Bondeni estate.
During the crackdown police arrested the 34-year-old gangster identified as David Kung’u Njeri and recovered properties including Kenya Power cables, a CCTV camera, 40 litres of ethanol, three pangas, four Somali swords, a hack saw and a metal bar, among other items suspected to have been stolen.
“The suspect is one of the wanted criminals in the area and our operation will continue as we seek to flush out all criminals with hideouts in the area,” said Ms Kabukuru.
The police boss said the officers will not relent in fighting the criminals terrorizing innocent residents in the area. The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.
Mbui and Kabukuru assured the residents that areas where organised criminal gangs had laid siege were now safe. The duo announced that detectives would now shift their focus on business operatives and politicians who are suspected to be financing and protecting members of notorious criminal gangs.
The two government officials spoke as a group of residents visited Kenya News Agency offices in Nakuru seeking assurances from the government that their security will be guaranteed on the night of the national housing and population census.
The team led by former nominated civic leader William Atinga observed that since the exercise will be conducted at night, it was important for law enforcement agents to step up patrols within the Central Business District and residential areas
Ms Kabukuru revealed that the operation targeting drug traffickers, illegal firearms and illicit brews dealers will also be extended to other parts of the county including Ronda Estate.
The County Commissioner further put on notice individuals out to bar census personnel from accessing homes to gather data and characters who were inciting Kenyans to boycott the exercise.
“The census exercise is very crucial for government planning. To allocate resources and plan for new infrastructure in health, education, security and other sectors we need accurate data. Those keen to frustrate the State from achieving this objective will be dealt with decisively,” warned the administrator.
He however called on residents not to fear for their safety as census staff had been picked from local communities. Mbui observed that all the enumerators and their supervisors would be accompanied by local elders.
“I encourage all Kenyans to continue offering information about any form of disruption whether criminal or political that may be planned to disorganise the census process. We will also ensure that an interactive session is planned between the locals and census staff,” asserted Mbui.
By Anne Mwale
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Information For Development
