Traders at Gakoromone market in Meru town have raised concerns over increasing cases of insecurity in the area which has adversely affected their daily activities at the market.
The traders told KNA that a gang of young men has lately been terrorizing traders and customers at the market especially early morning and from 5 pm and appealed to security personnel in the region to come to their rescue.
“We have had various incidents of people being robbed of their property including money and phones while coming to the market and this is not good to us as business people,” lamented Mr James Kiruja.
He singled out a recent case where an M-Pesa Operator within the market was robbed of Sh80,000 but the culprits are yet to be apprehended.
Another trader Ms Janet Kawira said women were also being mugged as they visit the market and appealed to the government to secure them. “We are calling on the security personnel to intervene and assure our security as we do business. This is a right that we should be granted immediately,” said Ms Kawira.
Imenti North Police Commander Laban Omol however assured the traders and residents that the matter was being addressed and already police officers have been deployed in the market. “We have sent enough officers to the market to conduct patrols day and night,” said Mr Omol and asked the traders to cooperate with the security personnel by volunteering information to facilitate speedy arrest of suspects.
He said officers have also been deployed at strategic points within the town to ensure residents carried out their activities in a secure environment.
Mr Omol however called on the residents as well as traders to remain alert to avoid encounters with criminals. “Common sense dictates that those with M-Pesa outlets for instance should at least close at 6 pm. Operating until late in the night is risky and criminals will always be tempted to attack you whether you have money or not,” advised Mr Omol.
By Silas Mwiti
