The government will deploy more officers to Isiolo and neighbouring counties in an operation to crush drug and human traffickers in the region.
Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. Geoffrey Omoding said that the ongoing operation in Isiolo’s Merti Sub-County to flush out suspected criminals who had been using ‘panya routes’ in their manoeuvres would not be relaxed until crime was brought to a halt.
“The criminals have been using ‘panya routes’ to evade the multi-agency team, who had been hard on them of late,” the CC said, adding the government would not relent and more officers would be assigned duty to help fight the crime.
He directed the chiefs and their assistants to support the police effort so that the operation could be successful.
Omoding was reacting to the killing of a police officer and the injuries of three other security men on Monday.
He said that an operation to deal with the few reported cases of drug and human trafficking who use Isiolo routes linking them to Nairobi from a neighbouring country has been ongoing for a while, and the rate of the crime has been reduced drastically. He added that the government would use drones to monitor the criminals’ movements.
The county boss said the crime had ruined young families and the youth, where many of their breadwinners who were involved in the criminal activities were arrested and ended up in jail, leaving their dependents in distress.
He said that nothing would stop the government from addressing insecurity and the menace of illegal businesses in Isiolo County, and if necessary, they would use force to stop them.
Omoding revealed that investigations into the killing of a police officer were at an advanced stage and warned cartels who were behind the crimes to prepare themselves for a ruthless duel.
The administrator said that the government has fulfilled its promise of putting up a permanent security camp at Mlango area, Burat Ward, where innocent people lost lives and property, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki expected to launch it on Friday, September 15, 2023.
He advised the youths and women to form groups and take loans from government institutions instead of depending on illegal drug peddling.
Omoding said that the government has set aside Sh250 million, and every county government was expected to add the same amount to assist the youth, women, and people with disabilities to get soft loans without any interest instead of engaging in crime.
He challenged the youth and women to do agro-business, which would boost them economically instead of depending on handouts from politicians.
By Abduba Mamo
